Mothers! Are you aware that mothers play a very significant role in the lives of their children, grandchildren and indeed their entire family? Well, Motherhood is one of life’s highest callings and greatest blessings. It is undoubtedly one of the most complex and exacting callings in life which comes with an awesome responsibility. Mothers help in their children’s social, emotional, and spiritual development. Research has shown that if the relationship between a mother and child is strong, then that child is more likely to grow up with a happy and stable life. Conversely, children who do not receive love and care from their mothers have a greater chance of attachment problems and emotional security issues.
Mothers are our timeless teachers in the classroom of life. Women, especially mothers, are the most influential educators as well. They bequeath to us timeless wisdom, a legacy so precious and valuable. Mothers have often shaped our world from the cradle by rocking, nurturing and instructing children to grow up to make life changing and history-making accomplishments. For every person, there is a mother behind who fostered her child’s sensibilities to their full potential.
You see, a mother’s role is tremendous. There are several roles that mothers generally perform that shape the lives of their children in order for them to become contributing members of the society. A Mother’s influence is far reaching in the lives of her family, the society and the world in general. Being a godly mother is therefore one of the greatest gifts that a mother can give to her children, grandchildren and the world.
Mothers still remain some of our most powerful teachers in the everyday living of life. Of all their many attributes – all that it comes down to is the heart – a mother’s heart. It has everything to do with the tenderness and toughness, the compassion and conscientiousness of the heart. There is nothing quite so comforting as having our mother’s arms wrapped around us when we are sad, lonely, or afraid.
Perhaps you might be saying at this very moment, “Not my mother! She was never there for me”. We empathize with you! There are women today who abandon, abuse, and corrupt their children, and who create poor role models, but these are the exceptions. Most mothers try to do their best and for that they deserve recognition. The Bible too, is filled with many mothers who have demonstrated poor examples of motherhood. However, it is also filled with numerous mothers that we can learn from. So, today we salute all mothers who are still alive and doing an awesome job – and call to remembrance those mothers who have passed on to the great beyond.
Parenting is no easy feat. It is a very challenging task. Parenting on our own strength can produce “successful” adults, but God intended much more from us as mothers. God expects us as mothers to train up our children in the fear and admonition of God. The Bible was given to us to provide us with the necessary tools, guidelines and principles upon which to build our homes and our children’s lives. You see, from the beginning of time, mothers have dealt with the same issues we deal with today, and their life lessons were recorded so that we may learn from their experiences.
Therefore the Bible offers mothers the chance to see and apply the principles for motherhood that God has given in His Word, and provides material for discussions on practical ways to apply these truths to our own lives. God intended for our children to know Him and His true and unconditional love. He longs for us to live a life of purpose and meaning. He asks us to travel a road that often is not easy, but comes with rewards that do not fade or rust.
So, it is important that we learn how some of the mothers in the Bible put their hope in the God of the impossible, and how He proved that such hope is always well-placed. There are some Mothers in the Bible who played key roles in the coming of Jesus Christ. None of them were perfect, yet each showed strong faith in God. God, in turn, rewarded them for their confidence in him.
Raising children on our own may produce successful children, but God intended more for our children. The Bible offers all mothers the opportunity to examine the lives of mothers in the Bible because everything we go through as mothers has happened before, and we can learn from the experience of our ancestors.
Are you a victim of circumstances with things happening that you cannot control? So was Rizpah, and she showed us what to do to get the attention of our Heavenly Father. Do you have a stubborn child? So did Samson’s mother. Are you facing impossible circumstances? So did Sarah. Are you surrounded by people who do not understand you and the things you are going through? So did Hannah. It is important that you learn how to respond to life’s situations in order to please God and have a better outcome for yourself and your children. 1 Chronicles 28:9 says, “If you seek Him, He will be found by you”. Are you ready to seek Him?”
You see, Mothers of the Bible take us inside the lives of biblical mothers whose struggles to live with faith and courage are much like ours. Through their successes and failures alike, these women from long ago will encourage us and strengthen us in our challenging and rewarding roles as mothers. So, as mothers, we should value the examples found in the Bible of godly mothers. The lessons we must learn from mothers of the Bible will help us to remember that we are not alone in the seasons of life we face as mothers. The wisdom and strength seen in the lives of these mothers still speak to us over two thousand years later through the pages of the Bible.
Remember: The mother who sets the standard for family and leads the way becomes a role model for society. A Mom is a son’s first love and a daughter’s first role model. One of the greatest gifts a mother can give to her children is being the greatest role model children have ever witnessed. God could not be physically present everywhere, and therefore He made mothers. Therefore, all that we are, or ever hope to be, we owe to our ‘angel mothers.
About the Author: Mrs. Marilyn Hodge owns and operates the Wellness Centre in the Farrington, Anguilla. The Centre offers Counselling Services by Appointment Only and has now published Positive Living Volume 2. Contact information: 476-3517 or email: marilynb@anguillanet.com. www.facebook.com/axawellnesscentre
