Mother’s Day 2024

Mother’s Day is marked on the second Sunday in May. It’s a day to celebrate Mothers, Mothers- to- be and any woman who has had a significant influence in our lives. Every human being is born of a woman. That makes a woman so unique and incredibly special. Also, most mothers combine motherhood with their careers and other responsibilities. Indeed, the saying that “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world” is so true!

According to salary.com 2019 estimate, a Stay-at-home mom would earn $178,201 for the services that she provides. These include cost of being a Private Chef, House cleaner, Childcare, Driver, Laundry service etc. So, love, appreciate, cherish and celebrate your mother. One day is too short to celebrate her. Remember to celebrate her as often as you can.

The Bible is full of several examples of outstanding women that are excellent examples of motherhood. We have women like Eve, our first mother, Sarah, Rebecca, Leah and Rachel.Some women were also great leaders and administrators. Deborah was a judge and Jael had the singular honor of positively influencing the outcome of a battle ( see Judges)

The Bible is also full of examples of terrible women who are examples of what a good woman ought not to be. Queen Jezebel, Queen Athaliah and Delilah are some of them. Some women, like Esther, started out as a slave girl and rose to become the Queen of an empire. Some, like Ruth, came from an abominable root. She was a Moabitess, from a nation despised by Israel because they came from the incestous affair by the 2 daughters of Lot. Yet, God favored Ruth and she became a great grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus Christ.

What of Rahab the harlot? She belonged to one of the worst professions in the world, yet God favored her, and she became one of the ancestors of Jesus Christ. Mary Magdalene was a woman possessed by 7 demons, yet she was the first person to see Jesus Christ after his resurrection. What of the 300 wives and 700 concubines of King Solomon? What of Bathsheba who captivated King David with her beauty, causing him to commit an unpardonable sin? What shall we say of women like Dorcas, a righteous woman who gave selflessly to others. What of Lois and Eunice, the grand mother and mother of Timothy?

Hagar, was sent away with her son, Ishmael by her mistress Sarah wife of Abraham because Sarah wanted to secure the future of her own son, Issac. When she ran out of water in the desert, she cried to God in her distress and God opened her eyes to see a well of water. She gave God one of his covenant names of “Jehovah El Roi” or the God who sees me”.

With so many examples to choose from, what should be the guiding principle for a woman who genuinely loves the Lord and her family? Proverbs 31:10-31 gives a good description of what good woman should be.

“A truly good wifeis the most precious treasure a man can find! Her husband depends on her, and she never lets him down. She is good to him every day of her life, and with her own hands she gladly makes clothes. She is like a sailing ship that brings food from across the sea. She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and for her servants. She knows how to buy land and how to plant a vineyard, and she always works hard. She knows when to buy or sell, and she stays busy until late at night. She spins her own cloth, and she helps the poor and the needy. Her family has warm clothing,and so she doesn't worry when it snows. She does her own sewing and everything she wears is beautiful. Her husband is a well-know and respected leader in the city. She makes clothes to sell to the shop owners. She is strong and graceful as well as cheerful about the future. Her words are sensible and her advice is thoughtful. She takes good careof her family and is never lazy. Her children praise her, and with great pride her husband says, “There are many good women but you are the best!” Charm can be deceiving and beauty fades away but a womanwho honors the Lord deserves to be praised. Show her respect—praise her in public for what she has done.” CEV

What a wonderful testimony for a lovely and virtuous woman!

The greatest woman in the Bible is Mary the mother of Jesus Christ. Even though she did not preach a single sermon or work a miracle, yet her place in history is secure because she gave birth to the Savior of the world.

We first met Mary as a teenager, espoused to be married to Joseph, a carpenter. As Mary went about her duties, God saw in her the qualities that made her suitable to carry the most precious gift to the world. Some of these qualities may have been her humility, gentleness, kindness, selflessness and genuine love and respect for others.