The Lord's Gift to Mothers
From Dr. Sheety Speero
The call of "Mother" is one of the sweetest, most tender, and most glorious names in existence. It constantly reminds us of the faithful and patient mercies of Christ. Among all creations, a mother is one of the greatest gifts God has made. A mother's influence is immeasurable; who can gauge its length and breadth? Whether for good or ill, for God or for evil, for heaven or for hell, for joy or sorrow, for strength or weakness, a mother's impact endures. Before a child is born, it lives through the mother's heart; after birth, it thrives by her guiding hand.
Mothers live again in the lives of their children, shaping their character. John the Baptist once refused to baptize Jesus, saying, “I need to be baptized by you.” In this, he reflected his mother, Elizabeth, who said to the Blessed Virgin Mary, "Why is this, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" John's life was a miniature image of Elizabeth's courage, faith, and piety. As he grew, he continued her legacy.
With this enduring influence, mothers hold a grave responsibility to make their guidance positive, glorifying God. God's Word offers us insight into the responsibilities of motherhood:
Commitment
"Can a woman forget her nursing child, not have compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me." - - Isaiah 49:15-17
Compassion
"She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.” -Proverbs 31:20
Discipline and Guidance
"Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.
Punish them with the rod and save them from death." — Proverbs 23:13-14
Example
"Let the elders be sober, dignified, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience. Likewise, the deaconesses must be reverent, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things, that they may train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be sober, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that no one may speak evil of them. Let them be examples of good works, showing themselves pure in all things, diligent, and hospitable.” ― Titus 2:2-7
Faith
"When Jesus heard this, he said to her, 'O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.' And her daughter was healed from that hour.” - Matthew 15:28
Piety
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." —Proverbs 31:30
Home
"She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27
Intercession
"A woman from Canaan came to him, pleading, ‘Lord, have pity on me, Son of David! My daughter is cruelly tormented by a demon.' But he did not answer her. His disciples urged him, saying, 'Send her away.' She knelt before him and said, 'Lord, help me!' And he said, 'Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.' Her daughter was healed at that moment." Matthew 15:22-28
Love
"Train the young women to love their husbands and children." - Titus 2:4
Ethics and Virtue
"Who can find a virtuous woman? Her worth is far above rubies. Her husband safely trusts in her, and she will bring him good, not harm, all the days of her life." - Proverbs 31:10-12
Obedience
Mary said, “I am the Lord's servant; may it be to me as you have said.” . . Luke 1:38
Prayer
"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord." - 1 Samuel 1:27-28
Management
"She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings, she plants a vineyard." Proverbs 31:16
Sacrifice
"Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, so that if any of them do not believe the Word, they may be won over without words by your conduct." - 1 Peter 3:1
Thankfulness
"Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant."" — Luke 1:46-53
May mothers continue to find strength, wisdom, and love through God's guidance. Let us honor their sacrifices, compassion, and unwavering faith as we remember the blessings of motherhood.
