Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’” Proverbs 31:28, 29.
They are nurses, counselors, philosophers, cooks, listeners, coaches, problem-solvers, theologians, hug-givers and hurt-soothers. They serve on the front lines of our culture. Their values shaped our worldview. Their love provides a safe harbor in an ocean of insecurity. When we’re hungry, they feed us. When we’re sick, they sit at our bedside. When we stray, their love’s a magnet to pull us back. Who are these amazing, multitalented, multitasking people?
We know them as mom.
Mothers are the backbone of our society. They’re the glue that holds the family together. Their work is vital, yet often unseen. They’re the real heroes of the family. A mother’s a role model. Her joy makes those around her happy. Every woman’s called to be a mother, whether married or single, whether or not she has had children. People notice a woman who loves God and whose primary concern is serving others.
A mother thinks about the well-being of her children every minute of the day. She’s the first to praise and comfort them, the first to protect them when she senses danger. It’s she who has carried them and borne the pains of pregnancy and childbirth. It’s she who now continues to carry them in her heart. Her intuition is often clearer than her husband’s. She’ll be the first to turn to God on the child’s behalf. Perhaps that’s what inspired the saying, “God could not be everywhere at once, so he gave each child a mother.”
A child cries at night. It’s the mother who comes to their bedside first. She feels her child’s pain instinctively and will bear it both as a burden, a privilege and a joy. Her sensitivity and love are boundless. She’ll continue to hope for her children long after others have given up on them, pray for them even when everyone else has condemned them and believe for them when they have ceased to believe.
Some women resent the idea of motherhood. Those women have forgotten that it’s a privilege as well as a task. What was once regarded as the highest calling of a woman is sometimes pushed aside by “real” careers. It’s viewed as an inconvenience or even an embarrassment by some.
How different family life would be if we admitted our confusion over the roles of men and women; if we sought to rediscover God’s plan for both and regard one another with respect and love!
Women today hold important jobs right up to the time they go into labor and that’s admirable. Yet when pregnancy and children require it, she should be a mother first and foremost. She should feel motherhood’s a gift from God and in His eyes, there’s no sacrifice more worthy than one made for a child.
Probably one of the best examples of motherhood is found in the Old Testament. Hannah was barren for years but vowed that if she had a son, she would give him back to God. Her wish was finally granted and even though she must’ve found it very difficult, she kept her promise — she gave Samuel back to the priest Eli to raise as a servant of God. Her childlike faith was rewarded not only once but several more times. In time, she and her husband, Elkanah, were given five more children.
Mothers remind us there is a loving God who does and will take good care of His children. Mother’s Day gives us the opportunity to make life special for our mothers, whether they still live or have gone on to their reward with the Father in heaven. Thank God for mothers, for without them where would we be.
Biff Moore is the minister of First Christian Church in Harrisburg.
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