Looking Ahead to Mother's Day

The Bible teaches us to give honor to those who deserve it [Romans 13:7]. The idea of having a special occasion to honor mothers goes back to ancient Greece and Rome, but the celebration of Mother’s Day in the United States began 100 years ago this year, in Grafton, WV. Four years later, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed a national celebration of Mother’s Day. The idea has spread around the world. Mother’s Day is celebrated at different times during the year in different places, but more than 60 countries have followed America’s lead and celebrate Mother’s Day today – the second Sunday in May.

In the Bible, motherhood is central in the lives of most women. The first mother, of course, is Eve. In fact, she received her name, Eve, "because she was the mother of all living" (Genesis 3:20). We don't know how many children Eve gave birth to. We know about Cain, Abel, and Seth, but she also had other sons and daughters (Genesis 5:4).

Apparently Eve did not have any fertility issues, but numerous other women in the Bible did. Several notable Bible women had deep yearnings to be mothers, but were deprived of that blessing for a long time. You might think of Sarah who was 90 years old, well past the age of childbearing, when God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her." 17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, "Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?" (Genesis 17:15-17). When Sarah later questioned the idea, God replied, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” and promised that a year later Sarah would have a son (Genesis 18:14).

Rebekah, Hannah, and Elizabeth were other women in the Bible who were barren until the Lord blessed them and allowed them to become mothers.

Some women do not ever become mothers. In some cases, it is because they are not able to conceive children. In other cases, women never marry and although they might like to be mothers, they understand that procreation of children is something meant to take place within marriage. Some women make a conscious choice not to have children. In some cases, that is no doubt a wise decision, but something very important is missing from the life of a woman who does not become a mother.

Most mothers (and fathers) readily acknowledge the truth of the 127th Psalm that children are a gift from the Lord. Verses 3-5 read, "Behold, children are a heritage [gift, NASB] from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. 5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate" (ESV).

Honesty compels us to admit that children are also a challenge. The Lord gives us a whole series of responsibilities to go along with the blessings of being parents. One of the characteristics of the older women to be honored in 1 Timothy 5 is that she be one who has "brought up children." There is quite a lot involved in successfully competing the task of bringing up children. Proverbs 22:6 ESV says, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Ephesians 6:4 ESV says, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." These parental responsibility passages in the Bible seem to be directed more to fathers than to mothers, but neither gender has exclusive responsibilities.

Think about Timothy's home life as he was growing up. His father was not a Christian, so his faith was taught and nourished by his grandmother and mother (2 Timothy 1:5 ESV I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. ) A part of Timothy's upbringing was being taught the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15 ESV and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.) In this case (as in many others down through time), the task of teaching God's truth to children fell to the women in the family.

Our common sense tells us that there are things in child raising that dads do better, and there are things that moms do better. In 2003 (latest figures available), 68% of children in America lived with both parents. 23% lived with moms but not dads in the home. 5% lived with dads, but not moms in the home. So whether it’s a traditional two-parent nuclear family or one of the growing number of one-parent families, chances are that women are going to continue to have an important role in bringing up children.

Modern women have to juggle a lot of responsibilities. I Timothy 5 does not say anything about a mother having a career and bringing home a paycheck . . . a fact of life for a lot of mothers today. It is increasingly hard for one-income families to survive economically. The families who discipline and sacrifice material things so mothers can stay home and be a full-time moms deserve honor and commendation. At the same time, we have to recognize that is not always possible.

It is nothing new for women to be hard workers. Look back at the “worthy woman” passage in Proverbs 31. The woman pictured here is often presented as an ideal woman, but she was certainly a “working mom” in every sense of the word. We find her rising early, providing food for her family, then buying fields and planting vineyards. She makes and sells linen garments. If you think of an adjective to describe this woman, it might very well be “busy.”

Yet, read Proverbs 31:28 ESV “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:” Her children rise up and call her blessed – maybe that’s the first Mother’s Day because they were certainly honoring her for her success.