MOTHER

 Once a teacher asked a student, “How old is your mother?”

The child promptly answered, “My Mum is as old as I am!”

You only become a Mum when you have a child, so you are a 'Mum' as old as your oldest child!

‘Mother’ is a name, description or title given to a woman who has a child or children. In fact from the moment she conceives and carries a child in her womb, she is preparing for motherhood.

 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; …

Genesis 1:27-28

So conception and childbearing is a blessing from GOD.

 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Psalm 127:3

‘Mother’ is also the designation for the task of ‘Mothering’. Mothering is a responsibility given to the mother.

A precious gift is entrusted to your care, to nurture and bring up in the ways of the LORD.

You are made for that purpose. The mother is created so suitably to feed and nourish her baby from her own body. With this responsibility, you are also given the strength and grace to do this task with joy. 

A few days ago, a young mother, while lovingly cuddling her baby, said to me, “I never imagined I had the ability to love someone so much!”

 He grants the barren woman a home, Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!

Psalm 113:9

As Christian mothers, we carry the responsibility to constantly point our children to the LORD through our example of devotion to the LORD and also by teaching them the word of GOD.

 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

We should be grateful to the LORD for each of our children and pray for them. 

Hannah who was barren, prayed earnestly to GOD and received a son. After little Samuel was weaned, Elkanah and Hannah brought him to the temple and released him for the service of GOD! It wouldn’t have been easy for Hannah to do this. She said to Eli the priest,

 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord." So they worshiped the Lord there. 1 Sam 1:27-28

Even the very precious gifts GOD gives us, He expects us to surrender to Him.

That is true worship. Abraham worshipped GOD when he laid his precious son Isaac on the altar in obedience to Him. Genesis 22

Although we love our children very much, the LORD has to take first place in our lives and in theirs.

When our daughter had her babies, I was very burdened that I couldn’t be of much help to her as my husband and I were involved with ministry and also travelled frequently. Therefore I worried about her and became very preoccupied in my thoughts about her having to cope without my help. This affected even my relationship with the LORD. One Sunday as I was in Church and my anxious thoughts on our daughter, I heard a sudden clear sharp rebuke in my heart that shook me!

 

"He who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me."

 (He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.
And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
Matthew 10:37)

We need much wisdom from the LORD in planning our children’s activities at varying stages of their lives. When we begin to stress our children with many activities and place high expectations on them, going with the trend of the world, we should ask ourselves, “Why do I want my child to do this or learn that?” Is it to bring glory to themselves or to myself?

Our goal and motive should be to see the LORD’s name glorified through our children. 

Our desire and prayer should be to see our daughters arise as effective intercessors and our sons as Godly men who will preach and teach the word of GOD accurately.

What is Intercession? One who has experienced GOD’s grace and mercy and forgiveness through the blood of JESUS, going before the LORD in humility and compassion to plead the same for someone.

The fall of man has brought a curse on the world because of the broken relationship with GOD and with each other. The LORD JESUS came as the Mediator between GOD and man. GOD is now looking for men and women who will stand in the gap to bring reconciliation and restoration of these relationships.

The old Testament finishes with the word curse.

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse."

Malachi 4:5-6

Who is able to stand in the gap between fathers and children? It is the wife and the mother who is able to play this crucial role and intercede, to break the curse and release blessings on the family.

So dear mothers, we have been given an honourable designation and a very important and specific task. Let us be diligent with that which GOD has entrusted to us.

One important cause of broken lives, disfunctional homes, issues with mental health and such, is the absence of a 'Mother' in her home, who is playing her GOD-given role well. If mothers joyously take on their rightful responsibilities, the world would definitely be a better place!

 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.

Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31: