Honoring Mothers

Posted on May 12, 2007
Filed Under Worldview |

Every year, it seems, someone does the math to determine how much a stay-at-home mom is worth. This year, the calculation by one study was $138,000. Others dispute that and report a lower number ($80,000), claiming the salary amounts were too high.

Typical of us, isn’t it—trying to quantify the physical value of a role that is better measured spiritually? Malachi 2:15 says that God brought the man and the woman together because He was looking for godly offspring. How do you put a value on that? What is a Dad worth? When he is not there, the statistics show that his son’s odds of ending up in prison rise dramatically. How much is it worth to have a son live a productive life versus one spent in prison?

What is the cost of an ungodly generation?

I suppose it is all with good intention, to add up a mother’s chauffeur time and CEO time and nurse time, so that we value her more. But the wonder of a mother seems to me to get lost somewhere in the addition column.

What a special creature God has made! He miraculously created the woman with great beauty, wisdom, and the incredible capability to nurture, within her body and without, another human being. From conception to delivery, from diapers to young adults, she has been uniquely crafted for the role of delivering to the world the next generation—and by design, a godly generation.

So, here is my tribute to mothers whose work is immeasurable; whose value to her children, to her husband, to her culture cannot be calculated.

Proverbs 31 says that we are to give the noble woman the reward she has earned and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. For some noble mothers, this will occur today. May their children rise up and call her blessed and her husband praise her. She has indeed earned it. I pray that this will be a joyful day for you and for your household. We are going to do that with ours.

However, I am also aware that there will be other mothers for whom this day will bring some tears and pain; some for whom no one will arise to bless or praise; some who will sit alone, maybe in a nursing home, and no one will come to bring the smiles and hugs and thanksgiving that are due her.

Here is my tribute to them—to a list of mothers who need a special Mother’s Day card. I am personally thinking of several who are very close to me. It is possible that you share their situation or know someone who does. The rest of this is for each of them. The names are fictitious; their situations are real:

Dear Alice, Brianna, and Carrie: I know you will have pangs of grief today, for the Lord took your baby before you had the joy of holding him. May He grant you peace and comfort;

Dear Debbie and Esther: I know your thoughts today will turn to a rebellious child who is wandering and appears to be heading into deeper trouble. Know that the Lord understands, for we all have done the same to Him. May He grant the answer to your tearful prayers;

Dear Francine, Gracie, Heather and Irene: I know today you will slip quietly away to hold the picture of your precious child that is now gone. It still doesn’t seem fair, after all this time. No parent plans to attend their child’s funeral. May the peace that passes all understanding overshadow you.

Dear Jean, Kara, and Laurie: I know that you are a single mom and the burden of carrying both roles is sometimes overwhelming. I don’t know how you do it. But you continue to do so. You are a great mom! May our brothers and sisters come along side you and help you carry your load.

Dear Marie and Noel: I know you are a mother in waiting, longing for the news that you have finally gotten pregnant after so long. God is not punishing you. But you must continue to trust Him and rest in His Providence. He is working ALL things together for your good.

I have probably left some out. If so, forgive me. May you find time today to cheer your own mother or your wife or your daughter. But, somewhere near by, there is, no doubt, a faithful mother who has no one to stand and call her blessed. Why not you?

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