“God couldn’t be everywhere, so He made mothers.” While not theologically accurate, this old Jewish saying describes beautifully the significant role mothers have in our lives.
Motherhood is one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity. A loving, committed mother is an indispensable person in our development. Just imagine a world without mom. It would be a sterile place indeed. Mothers instill powerful social and nurturing characteristics in each generation. It is principally from their mothers that children learn the virtues of sacrifice, sharing, valuing others, compassion, community and a host of other interpersonal values and skills that enable humans to live together in peace.
Women are designed for self-sacrifice. Mothers are designed by God to nurture. There is just no greater nurturing power on the planet than a mother. When the apostle Paul was describing his love for the church at Thessalonica, he used the metaphor of a mother’s love to describe how deeply he cared for them. He reminded them that he was like a “gentle” mother who “tenderly cares for her own children” (1 Thessalonians 2:7). When God described His love for Israel, he did so with a motherhood metaphor. He told Israel that He would comfort them like a mother comforts her children (Isaiah 66:13).
I am reminded of the closing chapters of the great biblical book of wisdom, the book of Proverbs. The book that has helped billions through millennia live better lives closes with a great testimonial tribute to women. They speak of the beautiful, indispensable role that women play in God’s creation. After 30 chapters of directions on living the good, godly, noble life, Proverbs closes with these words: “Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying, ‘Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.’ Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates” (Proverbs 31:28-31).
The best of all that God designed a woman to be is expressed in motherhood. Not one of us came into this world without a mother. Motherhood is a conscious, deliberate decision made by a woman to enter that noble, God-like act of loving self-sacrifice to participate with the God of all creation to bring a new life into the world—you!
So, while Mother’s Day is over, never stop telling that special woman how much you love and appreciate her. We all need mom and she needs to hear you do. Blessings on your journey.