Mother

I find it interesting that there is not much in the way of instruction for mothers in the Bible. There are clear commands for women in general, but not specifically for mothers. Of course there are examples of good and bad mothers in the Bible. We would all do well to take note of women like Jezebel (Ahaziah's mother) and Eunice (Timothy’s mother), and try to figure out what character traits we should or should not copy.

Proverbs 31:28 says that a mother’s child will arise and call her blessed  (and her husband will also). The older I get, the more meaning this has.

As a mother, those who know you best are your husband and children. So it carries a lot of weight if they are the ones who rise up and call you blessed, because they are the ones who have watched your life most closely.

In her book, The Shaping of a Christian Family, Elisabeth Elliot says “A mother is a chalice, the vessel without which no human being has ever been born. She is created to be a life-bearer, cooperating with her husband and with God in the making of a child. What a solemn responsibility. What an unspeakable privilege—a vessel divinely prepared for the Master’s use.”

Mothers are care givers, teachers, nurses and taxi drivers, but most importantly, we are models. We are each called to model faith, hope, love, obedience, discipline, determination, courage, holiness, etc. to our children. We strive to show them how we love to read and study God’s Word. We show them Who to turn to when trouble comes. We pray and never give up. We ask for forgiveness when necessary. We teach them the Word of God. We lead them to Christ when they are ready.

As Elisabeth said; what a solemn responsibility!