Happy
Mother's Day.
"God
couldn't be everywhere, so He made mothers." While not theologically
accurate, this old Jewish saying describes beautifully the significant role
mothers have in our lives.
Motherhood
is one of God's greatest gifts to humanity. A loving, committed mother is an
indispensable person in our development. Just imagine a world without mothers.
It would be a sterile place indeed. Mothers instill powerful social and
nurturing characteristics in each generation. It is principally from their
mothers that children learn the virtues of sacrifice, sharing, valuing others,
compassion, community and a host of other interpersonal values and skills that
enable humans to live together in peace.
Biologically,
women are designed for self-sacrifice. When pregnant, a woman's body focuses
its primary attention to nurturing that new, growing life developing within
her. Her body will automatically prioritize the needs of her unborn baby. And
this inherent gift for self-sacrifice isn't only biological. After her children
are born, a mother will continue to sacrifice herself for the needs of her
children. She will do whatever she can to assure her children have what they
need.
Mothers
are also designed by God to nurture. There is just no greater nurturing power
on the planet than a mother. I am reminded of the closing chapters of the great
biblical book of wisdom, the book of Proverbs. The book that has helped
billions of people through millennia live better lives closes with a great
testimonial tribute to women. That's right; the last words of the book of
Proverbs don't extend praise to God, or exalt manhood. They speak of the
beautiful, indispensable role that women play in God's creation. After 30
chapters of directions on living the good, godly, noble life, the great book of
Proverbs closes with these words to the godly woman: "Her children rise up
and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying, 'Many daughters
have done nobly, But you excel them all.' Charm is deceitful and beauty is
vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the
product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates"
The best
of all that God designed a woman to be is expressed in motherhood. Not one of
us came into this world without a mother. And in these days of abortion
on-demand, motherhood is a conscious, deliberate decision by a woman to enter
into that noble, God-like act of loving self-sacrifice to participate with the
God of all creation to bring a new life into the world -- you.
This Mother’s
Day, I hope you will take the time to say thanks to your mother in a special
way. No she isn't perfect, and no she didn't do everything right, but she gave
you life. And if she is like most mothers, she sacrificed for you and did what
she could to prepare you to be a loving, caring person. And to mothers, I say
thank you for all you have done to prepare your children to be the good men and
women of the next generation. Our world cannot make it without you. Thank you
for all you do.
Mother's love is everywhere.
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Happy Mother's Day...
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