Thank God for Mothers
Posted: Sunday, May 09, 2010
by Mark Parsec
Wordcasters
I thank God for my mother because she taught me about ANTICIPATION... when she would say, “Just wait until your father gets home!"
I thank God for my mother because she taught me about RECEIVING.... when she would say, “You are going to get it when we get home!"
I thank God for my mother because she taught me how to MEET A CHALLENGE… when she would say, “Answer me when I talk to you! You should not talk back to me!"
I thank God for my mother because she taught me about MEDICAL SCIENCE... when she would say, "If you do not stop crossing your eyes, they are going to stay that way."
I thank God for my mother because she taught me about HUMOR... when she would say, "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
I thank God for my mother because she taught me how to BECOME AN ADULT... when she would say, "If you don't eat all your vegetables, you will never grow up and always remain a kid."
I thank God for my mother because she taught me about GENETICS... when she would say, "You are just like your father."
I thank God for my mother because she taught me about WISDOM OF AGE... when she would say, "Just wait until you turn my age, then you’ll understand.”
I thank God for my mother because she taught me about JUSTICE... when she would say, "One day you will have kids, and I hope they turn out to be just like you...Then you will see what it is like!"
Well today is Mothers’ Day, a day when we recognize and celebrate our mothers. I would like to say that all mothers are great… but that would be stretching the truth. Sadly, some mothers have fallen short of the expectations that their children, or even their children’s fathers, have placed upon them.
Some mothers have been known to abandon their children. We have all heard accounts of children that were found in dumpsters or trash cans just hours after their birth. Some mothers, filled with rage and emotional instability have been known to mentally, verbally or physically abuse their children. And some mothers, although present physically in their children’s lives, were emotionally detached and did not provide the nurturing, love and attention that their children required.
Sadly, some of us have had such mothers as these in our lives. So when it comes to having gratitude or appreciation on Mother’s Day we are filled with mixed emotions… sadness, anger or grief.
Yet, regardless of whether your mother was good or bad, kind or abusive, nurturing or neglectful, you need to remember that your mother was a gift from God, a chosen vessel, selected by God to conceive you and bring you into this world. He is the one that opens and closes the womb. God does not make mistakes when it comes to our parents. He has known, even before the creation of the world, the name of every person that has ever lived, or will ever live, and you can be sure that it was only by His sovereign will that you live and breathe and have your being.
So… our mothers were appointed to each and every one of us long before we were ever conceived. And whether we are the product of rape, incest, lust or love you can be sure that God had His hand in the conception, for nothing can occur in this world outside of God’s permissive will.
So, what I am saying is you are not an accident… and neither was your mother. Your mother was precisely who God intended for you! And whether she contributed nothing more to you than your unique genetic composition, or whether she showered you with love and attention, abuse or neglect… she was the instrument by which God gave you the gift of life.
In consideration of the important role that God has given mothers in our lives it would seem only proper to reflect upon biblical instructions on how we, as Christians, should relate to our mothers. Therefore, it might be rather surprising for some people to bear in mind that the first clear instruction pertaining to a relationship with one’s mother has to do with leaving her.
In Genesis 2:24 we are told…
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
The underlying implication here is that children grow up to start families of their own and mothers need to let them go. For some mothers this can be a very difficult experience. We have all heard of the empty nest syndrome. Some mothers feel less than whole when their children grow up and move out. They become devastated, depressed, despondent and dejected. They seem to forget that God’s primary directive to humankind was to “Be fruitful and multiply.” And this cannot occur if one does not allow their child to become an adult, responsible for their own choices and behaviors. Neither would it be appropriate for a grown child to expect their mother to mother over them all of their life.
Nevertheless, the Bible does not neglect to mention how the relationship between a mother and their children should develop even when children become adults. In fact, so important was one of these instructions that it was included in the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:12 informs us to…
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
The interesting thing about this commandment is that it does not say that you have to love or even like your mother… but you MUST honor her. The intention here being that the child should give credit where credit is due… to employ proper civilities and courtesies towards your mother. Send her flowers, cards, Visa, MasterCards and American Express.
Notice that the commandment informs us that honoring one’s mother would allow the child to live long. One of my favorite expressions, that is so common with some mothers, is… “I brought you into this world and I can take you out.” Ouch!
But, whether you are a pre-adult or a grown adult everyone knows that dishonoring mother can really RUIN your day.
The next biblical instruction is similar to the commandment to honor your mother. In Leviticus 19:3 we are told…
Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.
Now some people might think… honor – respect… what’s the difference? Well, I think there is a big difference. First of all the word respect means to “look again”. You may not think highly of a policeman when he is in uniform. You may not even think much of him when he shows you his badge. But, when he pulls out his gun you are going to look again and respect him.
We need to respect our mothers before they pull out the big guns! We need to reflect back and remember who are mother is. She has power to influence our life for better or worse. Maybe she’s not perfect, maybe she’s made mistakes, maybe she has been sick. But… ALL that she has done for us before… she can do again.
Honor is proactive – respect is reactive.
Whether you are a child still living with your mother or a grown adult who has moved away, we need to remember to honor and respect our mothers. It is the biblical thing to do.
But perhaps you have never known your mother, or your mother has passed away, or maybe your mother was not a good mother. Do not despair. In Psalm 27:10 King David says…
When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me.
One of the wonderful blessings of Christianity is that we are given the opportunity to be members of a new family. We discover new brothers, new sisters, new fathers and mothers.
In Mark 3:31-35 we are given an interesting account…
31 Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. 32 And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.”
33 But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” 34 And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”
33 But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” 34 And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”
Jesus gives a beautiful example of the new family we find as Christians… those who do the will of God! I come from a family of eight, yet it is only since I have become a Christian that I have found a true family. I have brothers and sisters in the Lord that I can talk to at any time about anything who will come to my aid at the drop of a hat. I have fathers full of patience and wisdom and godly council.
I have a new family in Christ! With this new family come the most wonderful godly women I have ever known. Whether they have ever had children or not… they are my mothers in Christ. They are mothers full of love and kindness and thoughtfulness, who unselfishly sacrifice their time, their money and their prayers for me and others. Thank God for mothers! May He bless them this and every day.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Mark,Great article, as we all know how wonderful are our Mother,Thank you,Thank you, Jose. God bless you.
Mark
I really enjoyed your article Mark. I am glad you enjoyed your vacation and I hope you got some rest.Hi Linda,
I'm glad you enjoyed the article. And YES had a wonderful rest on vacation with my beautiful wife.
Wishing you a belated Mother's Day. You are loved and appreciated.
Mark
Mark, I love this article. It is more than an article - it is a classic. Thanks for explaining why mothers have to do what they do (out of love) because sometimes I feel guilty for being hard on my daughters. Thanks also for teaching about honor to mothers because in some situations, the mother-love has never been received.Hi Fran,
Good to hear from you. I'm glad you enjoyed the article. I know that children don't always understand or appreciate what we do as parents at present... but, as they say, in time more will be revealed. I think it is the great hope of most parents that we will only live long enough to see our children "turn around". Thank you for your thoughtful comments.
God bless you,
Mark
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