Mothers have one of the most important and challenging jobs in the world. The daily duties of a Mom include: housekeeper and home manager, dietician and cook, laundry manager, inventory analyst and expert shopper, chauffeur and errand runner, educator and tutor, communications expert and problem solver, counselor, encourager, event planner and activities director, finance manager, and health care provider. Mothers raise the next generation of adults who will either be a credit to her and a positive contributor to society or a burden on society. Motherhood is a full time calling which requires God’s help.

Every mother needs support, encourage, and help in her effort to raise morally responsible and biblically responsive children. Children need to be intentionally trained in the way they should go. Mentally, emotionally, morally, and spiritually healthy adults do not happen by chance. God’s design is for children to have a mom and dad who raise the children together. It is more challenging for single moms or dads, but extended family members can often help fill the need.

Sometimes we get discouraged and lose sight of the goal when we are in the formative years of parenting, but the end result of adult children who walk with God is priceless and worth the effort. There is “…No greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” III John 1:4.

It is encouraging to look at some outstanding examples of Godly mothers.

Sarah Edwards(1710-1758) was the wife of the famous preacher, Jonathan Edwards and mother of 11 children. Samuel Hopkins, who lived with the Edwards family for a while, wrote of Sarah:

“She had an excellent way of governing her children; she knew how to make them regard and obey her cheerfully, without loud angry words, much less heavy blows…If any correction was necessary, she did not administer it in a passion…” Sarah believed that before a child can be taught to obey God, he must first learn to obey his parents.

A research study was done by A.E. Winship in 1900 contrasting two families. One family had hundreds of descendants who were a drain on society. The other family’s descendants, those of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards, made significant contributions to society: thirteen college presidents, 65 professors, 100 lawyers and a dean of a law school, 30 judges, 66 physicians and dean of a medical school, 80 holders of public office (three US Senators, mayors of three large cities, governors of three states, a vice president of the U.S., and a controller of the U.S. Treasury). (Dodds, Marriage to a Difficult Man, pp. 31-32, quoted from Sarah Edwards: Jonathan’s Home and Haven, by Noel Piper, Desiring God 2003 National Conference, www.desiringGod.org

Susana Wesley(1669-1742) was also a noble woman and Godly mother. She was married to Samuel Wesley and had 19 children, several of whom died in early childhood. Her husband was frequently absent on church business and the management of the home and family was left to Susana. She was a steadfast Christian woman who taught her children the Bible and was an example in her own life of daily trust in God. She has been called the Mother of Methodism since her example of faith and reverence inspired her sons John and Charles to become powerful spiritual leaders and to launch the Methodist movement. She gave special attention to John who was almost lost in one of the two house fires the family experienced. She believed that God had spared John’s  life for a special purpose. Her sons led tens of thousands of souls to Christ. (From “Susanna Wesley: Christian Mother,” by Diane Severance, Christianity.com)

Abraham Lincoln is credited with telling his law partner, “All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.” This reminds me of Proverbs 31:28, “Her children rise and bless her …”

Barbara Bush(1925-2018) recently passed away. She was the First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993. She was the wife of one president and the mother of another. Prior to being First Lady she was also Second Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989. She was an advocate of literacy and reading to children. She was a woman of great influence whose career and first priority was her family. She was a stay-home mom who made countless contributions to society and her country.

As we celebrate our mothers this month, let’s be thankful for mothers who walk with God and prioritize family. Motherhood calls us to be intentional and sacrificial for our children and for God.

May blessings,

Elsie