There is no more influential or powerful role on earth than the one God has given to mothers. As significant as religious, political, military, and educational public figures may be, none come close to having as much impact on society as that made by mothers. Their deeds are never fully forgotten, nor are the truths they taught us to believe and practice.
If you have (or had) a godly mother, you will reap tremendous benefits as long as you live. On the other hand, if your mother neglected your needs and never showed you any love, you have missed some of life’s greatest blessings. For good or ill, a mother’s mark is permanent. “As is the mother, so is her daughter” (Ezekiel 16:44).
Abraham Lincoln was right when he said: “No one is poor who had a godly mother.” I know this to be true because my two brothers and I had a godly mother. She, of course, was not perfect, but no one is. Jesus Christ was her Savior, and she lived her faith in the context of our home.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow reminded us of the high regard that Jesus had for His mother: “Even He who died for us upon the cross, in the last hour, in the unutterable agony of death, was mindful of His mother, as if to teach us that this holy love should be our last worldly thought, – the last point of earth from which the soul should take its flight for heaven.”
As we approach Mother’s Day I throw out a challenge to every mother who reads these words. Ladies, this is your hour . . . your distinct opportunity to soar . . . your chance to make your mark upon the world! A harmonious marital partnership and a solid, unselfish commitment to motherhood have never been of greater importance to you or, for that matter, to our nation than now. Give it the best you have, for there is no challenge more worthy.
God’s Word provides excellent guidance and strength to every mother who would seek to build a godly home. No finer words have ever been written than those in Proverbs 24:3-4 – “By wisdom a house is built, by understanding it is established, and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Every godly home should have these three very important ingredients: wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.
Wisdom is the ability to see with discernment, to view life as God perceives it.
Understanding is the skill to respond with insight.
Knowledge is the rare trait of learning with perception – discovering and growing.
Both fathers and mothers are responsible for passing on to their children the truths that will equip them to live life well. Mothers, however, have traditionally been the primary nurturer. I challenge every mother with these words written by Dorothy Nolte:
“If a child lives with:
- CRITICISM, he learns to condemn.
- HOSTILITY, he learns to fight.
- RIDICULE, he learns to be shy.
- SHAME, he learns to feel guilty.
- TOLERANCE, he learns to be patient.
- ENCOURAGEMENT, he learns confidence.
- PRAISE, he learns to appreciate.
- FAIRNESS, he learns justice.
- SECURITY, he learns to have faith.
- APPROVAL, he learns to like himself.
- ACCEPTANCE and FRIENDSHIP, he learns to find love in the world.”
The Paper Pulpit 
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