A very special Sunday

You may have been wondering why I haven’t posted a blog ‘til now? After all, I usually post 2 blogs a week. Well, the truth is that, this Sunday is a very special day, a day where we celebrate mothers. So, I wanted to really think about mums and how important they are, and where would we be without our mothers?

So what is a mother? What makes someone a mum? It may seem like an easy question and we can give an easy answer that only really scratches the surface and doesn’t really answer what is being asked. Let’s start with something easy and look at the role of a mum. A role that is, by some, relegated to ‘unimportant’, but without them fulfilling these roles, which are worth more than we could ever pay, we would be far less than what we have become.

Below is a list that I found of some of the roles a mother does.

Chef: A mother cooks 2-3 meals a day. Sometimes, their children will love the meals you prepare. Sometimes, they will hate them. Most of the time, they simply wolf down the food you prepare and run to their next activity. Occasionally you will receive the cherished “thank you.” Hearing those two words will make every meal you prepared worthwhile.

Housekeeper: As a mother you will have the opportunity to clean all kinds of messes—clothes left on the floor, cups left in the living room, spilled food, dirty nappies, vomit.. The list goes on. But, one day your child may help clean the kitchen and…well, here’s for wishful thinking.

Resolve Conflicts: Children have conflict with friends, siblings, and even their parents. You will have the joy of helping your children learn the skills of listening, negotiation, compromise, and problem-solving, skills that will benefit them for a lifetime.

Event Planner: Mothers’ schedule. What else can I say? From play dates to doctor’s appointments to school events, after school activities, vacations to any number of other events, mothers schedule…a lot!

Teacher: Mothers teach their children everything…and I mean, everything. When cooking they not only teach their children how to cook, but some basic math. They teach their children about relationships, problem resolution, and dating skills. Even more, they teach their children how to think! Mothers teach these things without even knowing they do it. Then there are all the things they teach on purpose…things like math, reading, how to clean, how to do laundry, how to keep house, etc.

Chauffeur: Mothers take their children to school, the doctor, and the dentist. They take their children to sporting activities, dance, gymnastics, and music lessons. They drive their children to play dates and to the store. And, they turn each drive into an opportunity to talk, grow closer, and learn. (See duty labelled “Teacher.”)

Laundry: Mothers do laundry. They get out the stains and keep the bright colours. Life needs a clean start!

Counsellor: Children come to their mothers when they fail a test and when their heart is broken. Mothers comfort and advise. They kiss skinned knees and mend broken hearts. They heal broken spirits and teach children how to shape a joyous future.

Finance Manager: Mothers often help to manage the finances, teaching their children to do so as well. Balance the costs of groceries, school activities, and clothes as well as the utilities and other household expenses.

Health Care Provider: As previously noted, mothers kiss skinned knees. They also check their children’s fevers, cook them chicken noodle soup, make them comfortable, and many other “doctoring” duties. In the long run, mothers probably do much more than your average physician and for a lot less pay!

Activities Director: When children are bored, mothers come up with ideas. They encourage their children to play. They teach their children nursery rhymes, games, and fun activities like cooking. In so doing, they teach their children how to manage their time in productive, effective ways.

World Changer: Perhaps the most underrated task a mother fulfils is that of world-changer. Society is a mere 20 years from anarchy or continued civilization. It takes 20 years to raise a child, 20 years to “civilize them” or let them fall into anarchy. 20 years to raise children of character, integrity, and compassion or children of deceit, selfishness, and indifference. A mother plays a great role in this training. Mothers change the world with every child they raise. This is by no means an exhaustive list but gives a scope of what the role of a mother is.

Let’s take a look at what the word of God says about mothers.

Proverbs 31:10-28 states “10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”

We can see from the above verse that mothers are held in high regard in His word, and we should also. Being a mother is more than one who has given birth to a child or children. They’re are what is known as ‘Spiritual mothers’; those who care for and raise up children who they haven’t given physical birth to, such as giving kids guidance in God’s word, living a life that gives God all the glory and loving others as Jesus did.

A mother is more than giving birth, it’s a calling, a high calling, and it’s the raising up of the next generation. Who knows what that child will become? The next prime minister, a great evangelist, a faithful preacher of His word, or the best of all, a mother just like YOU.

So on this day I say thank-you to all the ‘mothers’ in my life that have shaped me in my life and my spiritual walk. On this very special Sunday don’t forget those who have been a mother to you. Show them just how much they have impacted your life, celebrate them and shower them with love.

In Christ our redeemer Ps Jeff