“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” — Isaiah 66:13
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During the NFL draft, it was heartwarming to hear some of the draftees speak with such love and respect about the many ways their mothers helped them get to where they are today — the pinnacle of success for an athlete. When we are small children, we make a homemade card for our mother, or pick a flower out of the yard and give it to her. As we grow up, we buy more expensive gifts like chocolate candy, flower arrangements, jewelry, clothes and other things.
As we learn to appreciate our mother more throughout our lifetime, we can only hope we sufficiently show our appreciation for her and that she knows she made a difference in our lives. Though Mother’s Day is officially allotted to one day, it’d probably be appropriate to thank our mothers every day of the month for all the times they lost sleep for us, put aside their personal plans for us, and stood by us when nobody else did.
The Bible speaks about the service and sacrifice of mothers, for a mother’s love is special. Mothers are strong and resilient, and often serve their families by inspiring kindness and perseverance in their children. “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (Proverbs 31:26-28).
Mothers carry much when it comes to raising children, managing households and speaking life into those around them. They play a special and important role in childhood and beyond, even teaching simple things like walking, talking and self-care. Not to mention their nurturing nature. A mother’s comfort is so great, that the Lord even compares His own willingness to comfort His people to theirs: “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13).
When Paul spoke about Timothy being an outstanding young man, he commented about the greatness of his spiritual heritage through his mother and grandmother: “I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. … I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also” (2 Timothy 1:3, 5). Strong faith can be modeled and shared across generations.
Perhaps the best gift we give our mothers is to follow their wise advice; many of us probably wish we would have listened to mama sooner. We’d likely be happier and richer in so many ways. Proverbs 1:8-9 tells us, “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.” A mother’s teaching should be held close to the heart.
Thank you, God, for the gift of mothers!
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
* We recognize that good mothers come in all forms, and not all mothers bear children. Some mothers raise their children through adoption, and some are mother-figures without having an official title, etc. We honor all the loving mother-figures and all the beautiful ways they impact our lives. We also acknowledge not all mothers are a healthy or safe person for their family, and can cause great pain. We pray the God of all comfort comes close to the painful parts of your life, wherever they may be when you think about mothers or mothering.*
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