God’s purpose for mothers

17.MAY.11

Editor: The role of mothers in the home and in the community can never be overemphasized. The mother’s position and responsibility in the home is a highly esteemed one. If she faithfully performs her duties she will receive great blessings from her Creator and high regard and appreciation from her household.{{more}} Undoubtedly, the home and the society will be a happier place if mothers take time to understand and appreciate their solemn duty.

So instrumental are mothers in their children’s lives that in many cases, the Bible mentions the mother’s influence when giving the life-experience of men like Samuel, Moses and Timothy. In talking about Timothy’s childhood’ training which prepared him to be a dedicated Minister of the Gospel, Paul says, “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” 11 Timothy 1:5.

Mothers of today are not left without needful encouragement and noble motherly examples. Hannah, the mother of Samuel, is a well-known example (1 Samuel 1). She understood that children are God’s heritage. If taught and trained aright, like Samuel was, when they are old they will not depart from the loving, effective instruction. These children will also bring much joy and satisfaction to their mothers. “My son, hear the instruction of the father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.” Proverbs 1:8.

In counselling mothers about their grand and noble responsibility, Ellen G. White, a renowned 19th Century Christian writer, said, “Would that every mother could realize how great are her duties and her responsibilities and how great will be the reward of faithfulness. The mother who cheerfully takes up the duties lying directly in her path will feel that life is to her precious, because God has given her a work to perform. In this work she need not necessarily dwarf her mind nor allow her intellect to become enfeebled. The mother’s work is given her of God, to bring up her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The love and fear of God should ever be kept before their tender minds. When corrected, they should be taught to feel that they are admonished of God, that He is displeased with deception, untruthfulness, and wrongdoing. Thus the minds of little ones may be so connected with God that all they do and say will be in reference to His glory; and in after years they will not be like the reed in the wind, continually wavering between inclination and duty.” Adventist Home pg. 233,234.

Mothers ought to be honoured and appreciated continually for the fulfilment of their challenging task of training children. Their task is certainly not an easy one, especially in these perilous times with an increase of rebellious children. Nevertheless, the lessons to be gained by their experience are numerous. “There are opportunities of inestimable worth, interests infinitely precious, committed to every mother. The humble round of duties which women have come to regard as a wearisome task should be looked upon as a grand and noble work. It is the mother’s privilege to bless the world by her influence and in doing this she will bring joy to her own heart. She may make straight paths for the feet of her children through sunshine and shadow to the glorious heights above. But it is only when she seeks, in her own life, to follow the teachings of Christ that the mother can hope to form the character of her children after the divine pattern.” Adventist Home pg. 234.

Despite the many challenges, with the guidance of the Almighty God and the support and cooperation of fathers, mothers can effectively fulfil their purpose. May God bless the mothers in our society with the necessary graces to be a blessing to their household.

Ann-Marie Ballantyne
svgpatriot@hotmail.com