Mother’s Day — set aside to remember those who give birth to children and help make the continuation of the human race possible. Surely, mothers who are faithful in their efforts are worthy of honor, even though none do it perfectly.

Some of the fondest memories of home are of our mothers. American author Kate Douglas Wiggins (1856 –1923) wrote:

"Most all of the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes, dozens and hundreds.  

Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins; 

But only one mother in the whole world."  

Let me tell you a little about my mother. Some of my most precious memories of mom are of her reading with me on the couch, instilling in me a love for reading.

One of the most important things my mother did was to demonstrate her love for my dad, and her respect for his place as head of our home.

No matter how difficult the sorrows suffered at the hands of her children, she did everything out of love for us.  

Mom believed in firm discipline, and although she hated to use corporal punishment, she would do it!  

Mom wasn’t the perfect mother, but being a good mother was one of the most important things in her life.

There is no more important calling in human than that of motherhood. Only the call to be a Christian and a wife can compare. The Lincoln memorial in Washington, D.C. is a magnificent likeness of the president.  But who was the greater artist, the sculptor or the mother? God permits a woman to know the tremendous wonder of bearing a child.  It is his work, but she is the tool in his hand.

A group of women were casually discussing the accomplishments they had made in life.  Several told of business careers, one of her work as a scientist, and another talked about the significance of her work as a city council member. Finally, a woman proudly told of three books she was in the process of writing.  When asked to be more specific, she said they were titled "Jerry," "Jonathan" and "Jennifer," and involved the developing lives of her children.

Mothers bear tremendous responsibilities. There is more to being a mother than bearing a child. Bearing and rearing children is not like buying a dress or pair of shoes.  Yet many seem to treat it with the same amount of seriousness. The prevalence of abortion and child abuse are sufficient indications of this attitude.

Being a good mother is both a positive challenge and a blessing.

The apostle Paul wrote to his young coworker Titus that, “Older women...are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands....” (Titus 2:4-5). Paul’s stated reason for his instructions to Titus about the responsibility of older women to the younger was so that “...the word of God may not be reviled” (Titus 2:5b).

Children quickly learn what is most important to parents, and any hypocrisy (as opposed to simple inconsistencies) in our lives. Henry Ward Beecher said that "The mother's heart is the child's classroom."  

When mothers are faithful to their stewardship, they can rejoice in the faithfulness of their children. Exceptions exist, but there are enough examples to prove the point.

Let us pray every day that the Lord will continue bless our mothers.