Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day

The Virtuous Woman ~ Proverbs 31:25-31 NLT

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.
28 Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

On this Mother’s Day, let us first reflect on the characteristics which God deems as important in a woman, and a mother. We can then reflect on some of the mothers of the Bible and see what a significant role they played in the lives of their children. These were women of God who imparted their faith to their children and who were instrumental in their children becoming who God destined them to be.

Naomi (Mother-in-law of Ruth)
Ruth 1:16-18 NLT

16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” 18 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more.

Through Naomi, Ruth married Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer, a wealthy and influential man. As a result of this marriage, she was even included in the genealogy of Jesus as accounted in the book of Matthew. She honored her mother-in-law, and God heaped blessings upon her. Naomi also became a grandmother in the process!

Mary (Mother of Jesus)
Luke 2:19 AMP

19But Mary was keeping within herself all these things (sayings), weighing and pondering them in her heart.

Luke 2:51b AMP

51…and his mother kept and closely and persistently guarded all these things in her heart.

John 2:1-5; 11a NLT

1 The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” 5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” …11 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory.

Mary knew Jesus was the Son of God, but she watched Him grow up as her child. Prior to the wedding at Cana, Jesus had not performed any miracles, but she had watched and listened and pondered things regarding Him since His birth. So, when his mother was at the wedding and the wine had run out, she knew exactly who to call upon. And that very moment was the appointed time for Jesus to begin to reveal His glory on the earth through miracles, signs and wonders.

John 19:25-27 NLT

25 Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27 And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.

Jesus, like any good son, wanted to make sure His mother was cared for after He was physically absent from this earth. He entrusted her to one of His closest companions.

Eunice (Mother of Timothy)

2 Timothy 1:5 NLT

5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.

Not much is said about Timothy’s mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois. But Paul found their faith to be so strong that it was worth mentioning in his letter to Timothy, which became a part of the New Testament. What Paul wrote as an encouraging letter to Timothy has been encouraging and instructional for Christians for almost 2000 years. Timothy was strong in his faith in part because of the impartation he received from his mother and grandmother.

Take time today to thank God for your mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, stepmother, aunt or any other virtuous woman who has contributed to YOUR life of faith.

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Celebrate Your Faith!

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