Our mother’s story begins first because we came later. She is the best friend we can have. When a huge storm hits us, friends desert us; when the storm keeps beating incessantly and our troubles worsen, she is beside us guiding us best by her own experience and counsels to calm us and blow away the darkness and bring light and peace to our hearts and minds.
Let us look at Jesus’ mother who was honoured but had to endure conflicting currents. This is taken from Luke 1 and 2:
A. Carrying the son of God in her womb – what a privilege. Enduring the gossip, suspicion and rumours of family and neighbours. What a load?
B. Bringing forth this child in the city of David; having to do in not so familiar surroundings to us but in a stable a long way from home.
C. Blessed by Simon and Anna in the temple; hearing of a great future for this child, and then learning that a sword will pierce her own heart.
D. A visit by the Magi with fond gifts and soundings of Herod’s murderous pretensions and the desperate midnight escape to Egypt.
Our mother’s struggle to bring us to maturity and she finds it difficult to conclude that control she has on us. When we begin to make decisions on our own or go against hers- how does it not hurt her? But she learns to dissipate slowly.
Then comes a time when it is ripe for us to leave her and manage a family of our own. We look for an ideal wife and mother. The Bible reveals in Proverbs 31:10-31.
10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Always honour your mother and let her who bore you rejoice because her love outlives them all.
Photo by guille pozzi on Unsplash
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