A Blessing Called “Mother”

I got my start in life the same way as you did; I was born. While God ordained the biological process to produce offspring, it was my mom who carried my tiny, developing body within her. It was she that endured the hormonal, emotional, and physical changes that accompany pregnancy. When my birth day came, my mom suffered through the rigors of delivering her first born. She did that for me. You see, as she carried me to term, she loved me even then. She did the same thing for my siblings. Such is the precious quality and love of a mother.

“Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.” (John 16:21) NASB

Jesus spoke the above words. Imagine that, the Son of God the Father, God Himself, came physically into the world through His earthly mother just as you and I did. Jesus experienced the same love, nurturing and teaching from a mother just as He’d designed for us. I pause to reflect here, with heavy heart, that not everyone gets to experience the kind of mother that I have. In our fallen world, sin too many times has sundered that special relationship between mother and child. Tragically, there are mothers (and fathers) who abandon, mistreat, abuse, and even offer up their child to the evil of abortion. These are indeed tragedies, from those never born to those who are permanently damaged as children from these horrific traumas.

May those who have children understand this most important responsibility in life, those who bear the exalted titles of “mother” or “father”. To the child, there is no greater. To me as an adult, there still isn’t, except God Himself.

Studies indicate that by the time a child reaches age five, most of who they’ll become personality-wise has been encoded, through experience, into their minds. Who is it but a mother that the child first bonds with and spends those vital early years learning from? So you can blame my mom for who I’ve become! 

Ha ha, just kidding. My flaws are of my own making and despite my mom’s best efforts. A mother’s love is the closest thing in this life we’ll experience that compares with God’s unconditional love. My mom believes in me and sees the best in me even when I’m seeing things differently. She’s always there for me. No matter how old I get, it’s a comfort having my mom in my life. That hasn’t changed from the time I was a baby until now. Even if I make a bad decision my mom still loves me. That doesn’t mean approval of my actions, but she still loves me the same, just as God does.

As a son and a Christian, I have an obligation.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3) KJV

We, my mom, siblings and I, lost my dad just over a year ago. I say lost, but he really isn’t. We who are Christians know exactly where he is. My dad is saved by the atoning blood of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. We’ll see him again. Nonetheless, his passing left a void in our lives. No one feels it more acutely than my mom. So this Mother’s Day, I just wanted you to know how special my mom is and remind you how special your mother is too. The great joy of still having my mother to cherish is tempered by the thought that some reading here only have memories of their mother to cherish. May the God of all love and grace comfort you in those bittersweet recollections.

For all the glory and splendor of heaven, we have a Heavenly Father there but no heavenly mother. Mother then is a special blessing, one that’s unique to our mortal time on earth. Don’t neglect the opportunity to love those dearest to you while you still can. My mom taught me this, my dad’s death affirmed her wisdom imparted. I’ll add if there’s a strained relationship that needs address, do it sooner rather than later because you may not have later. Do it now. 

The greatest gift my mom gave me wasn’t life, it was telling me about the eternal life Jesus offered me. He offers the same to you. All you need do is put your faith and trust in Him. The gospel of Jesus is found in the Bible, in the New Testament. The word “gospel” simply means “good news.” The bad news is we’re all sinners, wretched before a Holy God because of our rebellion. His perfect justice dictates that all of us deserve Hell. We’re incapable by and of our works to achieve anything but God’s judgment. The good news is:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Won’t you trust Him?

We commemorate Mother’s Day one Sunday in May every year. In truth, we should be celebrating our mothers every day. Whatever other joyous relationships we enter into in life, our mother remains exclusive and apart from all others.

Thank you God, for my mother.