Faith & Reflection
The first mother was Eve who, “…became the mother of every living person” (Genesis 3:20). Mothers have been importantly and integrally involved in every step of human history since.
The importance of mothers in the home, church and society remains undisputed. However, being a good mother is an “unsung hero” sort of role. The New York Times once asked a ladies club to determine who the 12 greatest women in the United States might be. After long and careful deliberation the panel reported that, “The 12 greatest women in the United States are women who have never been heard of outside of their own homes.”
It would be unwise to debate about which parent is more important in families.
It is obviously best to have both father and mother involved in a committed, compassionate, cooperative and ongoing effort to raise children. But I will go out on a limb to say that it is usually the Mom who creates a stable home environment and is often the most influential (especially during the early formative years) in the children’s lives.
For example, there was a young lad with a wandering mind. His teacher referred to him as “addled”. After only a brief time in public school he was sent home with a note which said, “Your child is dumb. We can’t do anything for him.” The boy’s mother responded, “You do not understand my boy. I will teach him myself.” That was the end of the boy’s formal education.
As an adult he reminisced, “My mother was the making of me. She was so true, so sure of me; and I felt I had something to live for, someone I must not disappoint.” We all know that boy – his name was Thomas Edison! Such is a mother’s influence.
The Bible has much to say about Mothers. The first commandment with promise found in Exodus 20:12 states, “honor your father and mother”. In Leviticus 19:3 the parental order is reversed and we read, “Every one of you shall reverence his mother and his father”.
Proverbs contains many compelling passages about mothers. “Do not forsake the teaching of your mother” (Proverbs 6:20). “A foolish son is a grief to his mother” (Proverbs 10:1). “Let your mother be glad; let her rejoice who gave birth to you” (Proverbs 23:25). “A child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother” (Proverbs 29:15). And finally in Proverbs 31:28 we have a hopeful and promising passage declaring, “Her children rise up and bless her”.
Did you rise up and bless your mother this past Sunday? Moms, allow me to extend to you a belated Happy Mother’s Day!
— Pastor Ross Helgeton is senior pastor at Erskine Evangelical Free Church