Pastor column: Mothers should be praised, not preached to, on Mother’s Day

From Proverbs 31, I want to share three things mothers are or mothers do in order to honor them this Mother’s Day.

Proverbs 31 says, “She works with eager hands” (vs. 13). In this proverb, we see mothers do all kinds of work. She sews (vs. 13, 19, 22). She shops (vs. 14). She cooks (vs. 15). She gardens (vs. 16). The text says mothers “get up while it is still dark” (vs. 15) to prepare food and v. 18 "her lamp does not go out at night" (vs. 18). Remember the old saying: “Man works from sun to sun but woman’s work is never done.”

Verse 27 says, “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread idleness.” She isn’t lazy; she works with eager hands. God bless you, mothers, for all your hard work.

Verse 26 tells us, “She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” Mothers do a lot of instructing with their children.

Mothers, the greatest preachers of all

G. Campbell Morgan was a British evangelist, preacher, a leading Bible teacher and a prolific author. He had four sons and they all became preachers. At a family reunion, one son was asked, “Which Morgan is the greatest preacher?” Looking at his father, he replied, “Mother!” Nancy Morgan was the greatest preacher.

“Do not forsake the law of your mother” (Proverbs 1:8). The law of your mother − the law of love, of kindness, of selflessness, of giving. The wisdom of God is exhibited in mothers. The greatest lessons we have ever learned have come from loving, caring, sacrificing mothers who were always available to us. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Verse 28 gives insight to a mother’s love, “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” The heart of a mother is loving, and we’ve all experienced those times when only Mom’s love could understand our tears, soothe our disappointments and calm our fears − those times when only mom’s faith could help us and inspire in us confidence.

Mother's are a child's first impression of God' love

Loving mothers are developers of personalities, molders of vocabularies, shapers of attitudes − saying with a soft voice, “I love you.” Mothers are a link to God, a child's first impression of God's love. A Mother’s love is a steadfast love.

Verses 11-12 says, “Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” If a husband has full or complete confidence in his wife, then you know that she is a woman who loves her man.

The unselfishness of a mother shows a heart of love for her family. And all of us can remember many unselfish acts of devotion our mamas made in our homes.

Mothers, every day is your day, May God richly bless you today.

Rev. J. Patrick Street is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Marion. He can be reached at coachpatstreet@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Praise for mothers can be found in the Bible's Proverbs 31