Mother’s Day, the day to scramble around the house trying to conjure up a ‘home-made’ gift that will warm the cockles of your mother’s heart. It is a day that is as complex and beautiful as our own mothers – a day of immense joy and for some, possibly mourning. It is not merely about donning the role as a mother or receiving breakfast in bed; it is something far more special.
Mother’s day is an opportunity to honour our earthly mothers by thanking our Heavenly Father. We have this moment to reflect on the blessing that our mother is to us, because that is what mothers are, a gift and a blessing from God.
Mother’s day is a day for all mothers. Receive the honour from your children and give honour to your God-given mother. This Mother’s day, take the opportunity to thank God for his goodness by honouring your mother.
Mothers are a source of God’s character
Think about your mother – more often than not she is a source of comfort, joy, kindness, patience and resilience. Not only is she these things and more, but she is also a testament to God’s goodness.
Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:14-15
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Timothy’s knowledge of God and the scriptures came from those who raised him. The faith that he was to continue in was modelled to him from an early age. From young he was nurtured, cared for and taught the word of God.
But who was the source of Timothy’s upbringing?
We find the answer In 2 Timothy 1:5 when Paul writes:
“I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.”
Paul directly connects Timothy’s faith to his mother and grandmother. Paul celebrates the great heritage that Timothy received from these powerful women. They gave him the knowledge of the scriptures that his father could, or would not, give him. They were much more than carers or protectors, they played a massive part in his spiritual maturity
Mothers are nurturers
Our mothers give us what we need to grow. They create the environment in which there can be growth by nurturing us, caring for us and protecting us. This is both true in the natural, by feeding us and making sure that at all times we know where important items are, and also in the spiritual, where mothers are a source of comfort and wisdom while we mature in Christ.
Paul describes a “sincere faith” which lives within Timothy, the same sincerity that lived within Lois and Eunice. God not only uses mothers to nurture us, but to teach us how to nurture and develop others. As in the same way that Timothy was modelled sincerity by his mother and grandmother, he too became sincere. Think about all of the things that were modelled to you by your mother when you needed her most; compassion, sincerity, joy in the face of adversity, resilience, comfort, protection – these things all live within the Father.
Our mothers are a source of God’s goodness and His character. So Mother’s Day is a day for everyone, where we get to honour our earthly and spiritual mothers alike and delight in the goodness of God.