A Christian Mother’s Love
No doubt we’ve all been reminded by recent TV commercials, sales flyers, billboards, the internet and other media, that the day set aside to honor and show our love to Mothers is here. This day is observed by over forty countries and in various ways. Sadly, many religious organizations and their congregations often use this particular day to honor, praise and exalt mothers. Could it be that some, using a ‘special day’ to give tribute to mothers, fail to properly follow God’s Word regarding the purpose of the first day of the week?
Upon looking up “Mother’s Day” in Google Chrome, an AI Overview has this to say about this day. “The Bible doesn't explicitly mention a specific day for celebrating Mother's Day, but it does emphasize the importance of honoring and revering mothers. It highlights the special role of mothers in God's plan and uses motherhood as an example of His love.” Yes, God created the first mother and motherhood is part of God’s plan to bring souls into this world. In Gen. 3:20 Eve was given that name because she was the mother of all living.
From that time until now, there have been countless mothers. It is part of the responsibility of the mother (and the father) to raise their children properly. Eph. 6:2 directs the child to “honour thy father and mother”, and Eph. 6:4 shows they are to be brought up “in the nurture and the admonition of the Lord.”. Children continue to be born, reared, and sent out into the world to make their own way. Many of these female children grow up and have children of their own and in so doing, they too become mothers.
Oh, the power a mother has. She wields the power of influence and if used properly, her child can be molded into a rightly instructed individual who will learn to seek God early as did David per Psalm 71:5. Otherwise, the young will grow up to be “children of Belial ” (worthless, evil, wicked, and ungodly) as those of Deut. 13:13 who said: “Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;”
The influence of a mother has been recognized by many for a very long time. Back in 1865, American poet William Ross Wallace penned a poem that has since fallen out of popularity, but one repeated line is remembered and quoted by many. That line is: For the hand that Rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world. Notice the plea to direct the young heart to God in this poem below.
The Hand that Rocks the Cradle
Blessing on the hand of woman!
Angels guard her strength and grace;
In the cottage, palace, hovel!
O, no matter where the place!
Would that never storms assailed it:
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Infancy’s the tender fountain;
Power may with the beauty flow,
Mothers first to guide the streamlet,
From them souls unresting grow.
Growing on for good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or darkness hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Women, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod;
Keep, O keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship of the sky –
Mingled where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are curled!
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
---- William Ross Wallace.
The Christian mother’s love is exemplified by the faith of the mother and grandmother of Timothy in 2Tim. 1:5 in that they had faith in God which was passed down to their young charge. 2Tim. 3:15 is evidence of this. Mothers are to love their children. The Christian mother is aware of the most precious possession of her children, their soul. She shows her love for God first, by teaching her children of God’s love through His Word. A Christian mother’s love is shown as she tries to prepare her children for eternity.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
