Mother’s Day is a Time to Thank God for Your Mother
“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” — Abraham Lincoln.
Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, died when he was just nine, yet he attributed all his successes to those nine years. What do we owe to our mothers? Far more than I could write in 1,000 words, or 1,000 books. If you’re a human, you have a mother. Whether she is living or dead, you should thank God for her.
Mothers have been celebrated throughout history in art, music, and literature. One of Vincent van Gogh’s most famous paintings is Peasant Woman with Child on Her Lap. Van Gogh was influenced by French painter Jean-François Millet. Millet painted peasants, largely in protest of the Industrial Revolution that transformed the bucolic French countryside into factories or dirty, impoverished cities. Millet’s The Charity was an impressionist rendering of a peasant woman handing a piece of bread to her daughter. Like a typical mother, her eyes and hand beckoned the girl to share with an old man outside the cottage door. To Van Gogh and other impressionists, blind industrial progress exemplified the loss of culture, values, and family. The impressionists’ images of lovingly rendered mothers and children reminded a declining culture of the value of family.
Motherhood in the Bible was esteemed by society and cherished by women, so much so that women like Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth grieved if they were childless. Compare that to today’s dilapidated social structure, where people are confused about what a mother — or a woman — is and is not. Motherhood, of all statuses, should never be degraded.
Parenting is a biblical theme from the first book of the Bible to the last. There is no greater opportunity for human development, worship, humility, and transcendent joy than the seedbed of the family unit. It is where sanctification begins and validation blossoms, with mothers at the center of every element.
The Bible has much to say about motherhood, their value, roles, influence, and how we should yield to their teaching and example:
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- Proverbs 1:8-9: “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction; don’t neglect your mother’s teaching; for they are a graceful wreath on your head, and beads for your neck.”
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- Proverbs 31:31: “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
- Proverbs 31:28-29: “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’’
These verses resonate with me because they show how a mother’s influence extends beyond her family. A mother’s love inspires faith, love, and perseverance within her community and loved ones. With honor and homage to all that mothers are legendary for, and the anchor they are to families, ministries, individuals, and society, here are 10 reasons to love your mother:
1. Because God’s Word tells us nine times, “Honor your father and mother.” In ancient cultures, dishonoring or cursing parents was a crime. That’s why God listed it as one of the 10 Commandments, equal in God’s eyes to justice, morality, and holiness.
2. Because God, through your mom, gave you that most important gift: life. Philosophers have long taught that the most important aspect of any person or object is the property of existence. The academic term is ontos, or “being.” You exist because of a mother’s womb. Whether you’ve taken the cards you were dealt and made the most of your circumstances, or because of a great mother you’ve accomplished much, neither would have been possible without her life-giving sacrifice.
3. Because you are indebted to her. You have no idea what she sacrificed to raise you; mothers never tell. We children know a bit of the story. If you’re a parent, you understand more because you have subordinated resources, time, and dreams to lovingly raise your own family. You can only imagine what she probably did for you. Many people point to what they feel their parents did wrong. Only God knows how many plans (and diapers) your mom changed for you, the sleep she lost, and money she spent on your needs over hers. The debt we owe our mothers is truly sacred.
4. Because love and respect are character traits God expects each of us to develop, personally and in our homes. Respect and character begin with those closest to us. If you show more deference to friends and co-workers than your mother, you have some growing to do.
5. Because people are watching. For good or for ill, you are someone’s role model.
6. Because if you truly love your mom (and others) as God expects, you will invariably grow in the Holy Spirit. To fully love requires the Holy Spirit’s help (Galatians 5:22).
7. Because loving will fill you with joy. Doing right is its own reward.
8. Because giving love and service is an offering to Christ Himself (Colossians 3:23).
9. So one day, you will have no regrets. And you can one day face God with no regrets. One of the final acts of Christ on the Cross was to care for His mother (John 19:27).
10. How you love contributes to Christ’s Great Commission. (We will stop at ten, but please add yours to the list.)
It’s Mother’s Day. Was your mom a great mom? Thank God for her and mirror that example! Is your mom not so great, or hurt you in some way? Pray for her and allow God to help you love unconditionally, remembering how much grace God has shown you. If she’s passed and you’re still angry, pray for healing. Is your mom no longer living? Do you miss her, and it really hurts? Honor her memory by being the best person you can be. Impart to others the love she showed to you.
Send flowers. Shed a tear. Honor her. Of all God’s treasures, your mom is one of the greatest.
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Dr. Alex McFarland is a youth, religion and culture expert, a national talk show host and speaker, educator, and author of 20 books. McFarland directs Biblical Worldview and apologetics for Charis Bible College in Woodland Park, CO. Via the American Family Radio Network, Alex is heard live on Exploring the Word, airing daily on nearly 200 radio stations across the U.S. “The Alex McFarland Show” airs weekly on NRBTV, providing Biblically faithful TV and discussion on current events affecting our nation.
