"Mother," she is someone in a child's life like no other. Her characteristics can be everything one would desire her to be, or maybe even to the other extreme of a total failure. Or, she may be the one that likely fits most categories as slightly less than having her motherhood perfected. At any rate, as the children of God, we know that to succeed in the role of mother, our safest guide will be what we've been given through God's Word.
This prior evening, David and I heard a highly educated woman give the most impacting testimony of how she became a Christian and a mother, that we've probably ever heard before. This lady was trained in religion from childhood with a moral respectable upbringing. However in her deeper academic studies she began to read after Austrian and German philosophers such as Freud and Marx. Soon her value system and world view was adapted to such humanistic ideology and atheistic concepts that feminism and lesbianism became her platform. After so many inappropriate responses from Christian people regarding how to relate to persons choosing this life pattern, she was less than open to hearing what a Christian had to say.
In an effort to condense this story and be somewhat fair to represent it, she did finally meet a Christian man and his wife who offered her friendship, as opposed to condemning, corrective speech. Through their loving efforts and encouragement for her to seek what is truth on her own, she slowly, over time began to listen and search the Bible for herself. Even with all of her academic professionalism, it took some time before she began through serious study to see that the Bible was a Book of inerrancy, and inspired by God.
In the short of it, when this woman found truth, the Lord opened her heart to receive it. Today she is by her own testimony a wife and mother, writer and teacher whom the Lord has made a vessel of honor unto Him.
How encouraging to know that the Heavenly Father is ever calling people from every given situation to a life hidden with Christ in God. Even as He does this for all who will receive Him, today we focus on the mother to whom He has given so much capacity for His great love to nurture, train, and love those under her protective wing.
Mothers should study and apply unto the wisdom given of God through His Word. Often mothers are asked for their counsel, and it would be prudent to be prepared to give it well from the only sure truth that stands. The Scripture texts places the wife and mother most productive in her own home. Passages such as Titus 2 will describe the conduct of her life and primary domain for God's intended function for her.
In this culture, we seem so very far from this pattern. There should be great concern for the impact this has taken already upon our coming generation of adults who should be prepared to carry on in God's predestined plan for mankind. How we should pray for mothers today and the turning of their hearts to God's truth, as well as the fathers who should honor God's Word as the leader in his family.
A description of this blessed woman of motherhood can be found in the 31st Proverb. One may read through this and say that she doesn't exist. This would be true, except for the grace of God that causes it to be so. Mothers, may we pray for one another this day in this ever challenging society in which we find ourselves. If we'll call on Him, He is faithful to hear us and deliver us from our trouble. He will be with us and give us His great grace. He is the Faithful Friend.
Growing in His Grace,
Julie
Proverbs 31:10-31
"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
