Every Day Should Be Mother’s Day

As I write my posts a couple weeks in advance, I try to look ahead to special events and annual holiday observances. However, this year’s Mother’s Day has already come and gone – I failed to address it in advance. Not by intention. Truth be told, I think every day should be Mother’s Day.

 

In our extended family we now have 10 women who are mothers: My wife, four daughters, one daughter-in-law, three granddaughters and a granddaughter-in-law. As I observe each of these ladies in action, I can’t help but marvel in admiration, how devoted they are to those God has entrusted to their care. 

A mom’s mission begins about nine months before baby is ready to make its initial public appearance. Being a male, there’s no way I can understand or relate to the childbearing process. The excitement and anticipation are great, I know, but so are the discomfort and pain. What makes it all worthwhile is the magical moment when the doctor or nurse declares, “It’s a boy!” or “It’s a girl!” and the contractions come to an end. But then the real work begins.

 

The roles of mother and father are equally important, but they’re not the same. Moms have unique relationships with their children, as they should. After all, they did get that nine-month head start on dad. When a child falls and suffers a scratch, they typically cry, “I want my mommy!” When cameras pan the sidelines of college football games, players often turn and shout, “Hi, Mom!” Some dads might wonder, “What am I, chopped liver?”

 

In today’s society, the responsibilities of motherhood in many cases are greater than ever. In the vast majority of single-parent homes, it’s the mother who carries the load, serving as housekeeper, chef, breadwinner, money manager, chauffeur, nurse and many other duties. I frankly don’t know how single moms do it. 

 

We could talk about the tragedy of broken homes and why an intact family with both mother and father present is preferable. As Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 tells us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up….” This is true for practically any pursuit, whether starting a business, undertaking a project – or raising a family. But that doesn’t diminish in the slightest the invaluable role of being a mother.

 

We see many positive references to motherhood in the Bible. Eve was the first mother and experienced great sorrow with her first two sons, Cain and Abel, the former becoming a murderer and the latter his victim. But she had a third son, Seth, who apparently lived a good, long life and established a long line of descendants.

 

The Old Testament book of Genesis also gives us the stories of women like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Hannah, who prayed many years for children before God fulfilled their desires. The first chapter in the New Testament tells us about Mary, the first person to receive the announcement that she would become the earthly mother of the promised Messiah. Her cousin Elizabeth, another woman who was barren until her later years, became the mother of the child who became John the Baptist, the herald of Jesus Christ.

 

In the Scriptures we see the mission of motherhood as being much more than managing the household and nurturing their offspring. Mothers also help to lay the spiritual foundation for their children. As the apostle Paul acknowledged to his protégé, Timothy, “I have been 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 1:5).

 

The apostle also referred to the role of mothers as he described the process of teaching and discipling young believers: “…we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8).

 

I hope every mother reading this enjoyed celebrating Mother’s Day and that fathers honored their wives appropriately. But the moms in our lives deserve such recognition every day of the year, not just a single appointed holiday. We couldn’t do without them!

Happy Mother’s Day to Our ‘First Responders’

One devoted mom and her children.

Over the past few months we’ve been hearing a lot about first responders, and rightfully so: paramedics and EMTs, firefighters, law enforcement officers, doctors and nurses. All demonstrating how invaluable they are in times of crisis. When tornadoes ripped through parts of our city, utility workers who rapidly arrived to start working to restore power, roofers and those adept at removing downed trees were added to the list. However, I think there’s one group of first responders – a very large group – who don’t get anywhere close to the recognition they deserve.

We’re approaching Mother’s Day, yet another holiday not getting as much attention as usual because of the constant barrage of coronavirus reporting. But Sunday’s celebration is one we dare not overlook, since millions of moms are true “first responders” that rarely receive the media spotlight.

After observing my wife for decades, and now our four daughters, there’s no question they all deserve being included in the first responder category. Despite social pressures that insist there’s no difference between the genders, any reasonable person must admit that women have a very special affinity for their children. When little ones are sick or injured, more often than not they cry out, “Mommy!” Dad might be there, too, but they know Mom’s more than ready to come and “fix it.”

It's a sad commentary on our society that, for a variety of reasons, so many households are headed by single parents. Because, as Ecclesiastes 4:9 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” And that is just as applicable to raising children as any other endeavor. Parenting is difficult for two people working together; almost impossible for one alone. But single-parent homes are reality, and since moms lead the majority of those, they merit special commendations. Maybe there should be a mothers' equivalent of the Purple Heart. 

Working (sometimes more than one job), keeping the house in order, cooking and cleaning, shepherding their children, helping with schoolwork, transporting their kids here and there. And that’s just before lunch. Wow! “Wonder Woman” has nothing on them.

Regardless of the household status, mothers often are the unsung heroes of our world. And with the pandemic, as schools closed and stay-at-home restrictions were put into place, many moms added “home school teacher” to their already overcrowded resumes. Interchangeable teachers, cooks, clothes washers, nursemaids, entertainers and comforters. Double wow!

During normal times, we can see moms at the mall with two or more children in tow, keeping track of them while seeking out the latest bargains. The fact that the “lost and found” departments aren’t filled with lost kids is a real miracle – and a testament to the devotion and love of mothers. I know, we sometimes see fathers in that role, but we see mothers much more frequently carrying this responsibility. Besides, this post is about moms. Dads can wait their turn.

Writing to followers of Jesus in the ancient city of Thessalonica, the apostle Paul wanted to underscore the depth of care and concern he had for them. So he used an analogy they could all understand: “but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8). Sound like any moms you know?

In the closing chapter of Proverbs, we read the description of the “Proverbs 31 woman,” probably a composite of the many qualities and virtues possessed by godly wives and mothers. It’s unlikely anyone fits all of these characteristics, but I’ve known a number of women – even in our own family – who have lots of them: 

“A wife of noble character who can find?... Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm…works with eager hands…gets up while it’s still dark…sets about her work vigorously…her lamp does not go out at night…speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue…” (Proverbs 31:10-31).

Sounds like a first responder to me. So, as we continue coping with the COVID-19 crisis – hopefully able to move past it soon – I want to give a shout-out to all the moms out there, women whose love, dedication and sacrifice are beyond measure. As the proverb’s last verse says, “Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

The Truly Oldest Profession

Throughout the year we celebrate a variety of holidays: Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, New Year’s, Memorial Day, the 4^th of July. But one fails to receive its just due – Mother’s Day.

Sure, we see ads and commercials about buying Mom flowers and candy, jewelry, maybe taking her out to dinner. But for some segments of our society, being a mom apparently isn’t all that cool. As if the calling to nurture children through the various stages of pre-adulthood isn’t enough anymore to prove a woman’s worth. The test of a real woman, we’re being told, is succeeding in the world traditionally dominated by men. If you want to add kids to the equation, that’s OK, too.

Now before I raise feminist hackles, I’m all in favor of women in the workplace pursuing whatever careers they choose. We have several daughters who, along with raising children, are actively engaged in the workplace. My wife spent more than 20 years working outside the home once our kids were in school. My mother had several part-time jobs after my sister and I were in school. But it’s demeaning when a woman is described as “just” a mother. Because in reality, motherhood is truly the oldest profession.

It goes all the way back to Eve – and Adam. Some people believe their narrative is a fable, or allegorical. I happen to believe it’s true. Eve literally became the first person to raise Cain, followed by Abel. Sadly, the account of those boys didn’t end happily, but Eve did have another son, Seth, though not as celebrated as his infamous siblings.

The Scriptures are replete with stories of women who served nobly as mothers. There’s Sarah, Abraham’s wife, who after many childless years rejoiced upon becoming the mom of Isaac. Then there’s Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, who became mother to Jacob, through whom God established the nation of Israel. Many years later, Hannah also was barren until she became mother to Samuel, who went on to be the prophet who identified David to succeed Saul as king of Israel.

Probably most famous is Mary, whom God chose to become the earthly mother of Jesus Christ. Upon realizing her divine calling, Mary responded, “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed…” (Luke 1:46-55). She recognized the honor of becoming a mother, a very special one indeed.

Mary was not only a direct participant in the birth of the One who would become known as the Messiah, but also was there as He died on the cross to atone for the sins of mankind. Who can imagine the myriad thoughts and emotions that she experienced?

The beauty of Mother’s Day is honoring the women who give so sacrificially of themselves to care for the next generation – and often beyond that.

I never cease to admire moms with multiple kids in tow, at the mall or in a restaurant. The other day we saw a young mother with three children – one in a stroller – and a dog as well. Not a father in sight to help out. Sadly, more than 40% of children across our country today are born to single moms. Shame on the dads. Kudos to the courageous moms.

And motherhood doesn’t end when the children leave the nest. In today’s world they often return – I call them boomerang kids, living again with mom and dad until they can afford to live on their own after college or getting started on their careers. And even when the children have their own homes, many moms “graduate” to become grandmothers, serving as free babysitters as needed.

Even the apostle Paul, who obviously never experienced motherhood firsthand, appreciated the importance of that role. Writing to followers of Jesus in Thessalonica, he said, “we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8).

So to all the moms out there, Happy Mother’s Day. Thanks for all you do!