The Power & Influence of Mothers (Grandmothers) in the Lives of a Nation
Today my goal is three-fold:
- Bless and honor mothers
- Thank them
- Encourage them
The Story of the First Woman and Mother
- Her Creation: Genesis 2: 18-25
- Her Sin: Genesis 3:6
- Her Curse (pain in childbirth and child rearing, conflict for control/authority in marriage and family began) Genesis 3: 16
- Her Name and Position among all Creation: (The Mother of All Humans that would be procreated) Genesis 3: 20
- Motherhood begins: Genesis 4:1-2
Motherhood is the most unique and special calling God gave to the human race outside those called to preach the Gospel. The first gives natural life; the latter can lead to eternal life. ALL humanity was birthed thru the loins of a woman/mother. There can be no procreation birth apart from a woman. The biological connection that begins at conception is unique to anything in humanity. Babies know who carried them for nine months. They cry for their moms, not dads.
Moms were not meant to go it alone. You should find help from these sources:
- Husbands
- Family
- Church family
- God
Do not be shy about asking for help. The rest of us need to be sensitive to these needs and help meet them before “asks” turn to “cries” that lead to more desperate places God did not intend for the mothers of His children.
A Husband’s Chief Responsibilities toward the Mother of his children
- Love her
- Respect her
- Make sure your children know that she comes first and is loved only second to Christ.
Here is a list of just seven attributes of a biblical mother:
- Loving (as close to the unconditional love of God as there is)
- Longsuffering (Patient in so many ways)
- Nurturing (Caring, disciplining, and encouraging)
- Protecting (Watching over like a mother hen. Luke 13:34)
- Forgiving (Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13)
- Serving (She washes feet and so much more. John 13: 12-14)
- And perhaps the most important, Praying
Persistent in Prayer
Rebecca’s Prayer: “But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 And the Lord said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.” Genesis 25:22-23
Hannah’s Prayer
(Hannah), greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. And she made a vow…For
this boy I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my request which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the LORD; as long as he lives… 1 Samuel 1: 10, 11, 27-28
A Mother’s Heart
“And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued to be subject to them His parents); and His mother (Mary) treasured all these things in her heart.” Luke 2:51
Impact of Mother and Grandmother
“For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.” 2 Timothy 1:5
“Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in their behavior, teaching what is good, rather than being gossips or addicted to heavy drinking. That way they can mentor young women to love their husbands and children, and to be sensible, morally pure, working at home, kind and submissive to their own husbands, so that God’s word won’t be ridiculed.” Titus 2:3-5
Mary’s response to being told she would be the Mother of Messiah (Humility and Gratitude)
“My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bond-servant; For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.” Luke 1:46-49
Description of a Godly Woman
“An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her…Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying: “Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.“ Proverbs 31:10-31
Today as we should on every day, we bless, honor, and thank with overflowing gratitude all mothers in our lives and for all women whom God has called to so high a position in life. I hope these words encourage your hearts as you have encouraged mine and all the children who are blessed to “rise up and call you Mom”.
For Christ’s sake,
