What's In a Mother?
I wonder what God was thinking when He decided to create the concept of a mother? In this post I want to outline two points. First, that the role of mother is intended to be an image bearer of the invisible God. And secondly, that mother’s have strength of heart that is unique to their sex.
First point:
The concept of father is somewhat easy to grasp, in that God is our Father, and we have earthly fathers. But, God is not married, so what’s up with this mother role? But, create it He did, and He instituted this role with a purpose. Adam’s ezer kenegdo (his help meet) would be a woman: Eve, and God blessed her to be a mother. And, she would be made in His image (Genesis 1:26) to help complete the family unit.
In order to understand the concept of woman or the concept of motherhood I think one must understand Eve- the first woman.[1] Though it’s a whole another story I just want to give you a taste of something deeper, in case you want to look into this concept of what God intends for mothers (for women) more deeply. Quite simply we must first look at Eve and what God intended for her and her daughters to be, which is to share in and be image bearers of Him. As I put in a previous post, we find our male and female identities in God.[2] The provider and protector instinct that men have is a characteristic found in God. And, the nurturing and desire to be desired instinct that women have is a characteristic found in God. Men, women, mothers, or fathers- we’re truly made in His image to “share in His heart, to imitate His ways, to love what He loves, to join Him in His work, and to walk with Him! (Carolyn Custis James)”
I hope that you were blessed to know your mother and that you still have her. If not, I am terribly sorry. I hope that you were blessed to have a good mother. If not, I am terribly sorry. And for the single women reading this, I hope that you’ll be blessed to be a mother- if you so desire it.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. -Proverbs 31: 26-31
The second point:
One awesome thing that I admire about women is that we’re strong. Men’s strength is physical, like God. Our strength is in our hearts, like God. I really admire my mother. She got into a car accident that almost killed her the weekend she met my father for the first time. And a few years later she was diagnosed with cancer and thankfully God blessed her to live through both situations. And just like any mother, she has faced life’s challenges and she has taught me to face mine, but on my knees always trusting God. She never lets me feel sorry for myself. She’s tough but she knew that she had to be, in order to raise me to face this world, and be a productive member of society. One thing that I have learned from her is her strength of heart, to do and care for people; and, her strength of character to be dedicated, committed, and to work hard. I’m sure that we can all relate to how strong our mothers are.
One Biblical woman, in Exodus 2, that stands out is Jochebed, the mother of Aaron, Miriam, and Moses. In a time when Pharaoh had ordered that male Hebrew babies be killed, Jochebed defied the order and fought to keep her baby alive. What a daring and brilliant act of courage. Hooray for brave kick-butt moms who fight so that we might live!
Another reason why God created mothers is so that their children can experience the nurturing love, the desiring love, and strength that only a woman can give. Also, so that the characteristics of a mother can compliment a father and make the family unit complete. And, to co-parent in raising Godly offspring, instilling in them to be people of faith. Just look at Hannah in 1 Samuel 1. She desired a child and God opened her closed womb because she kept praying, trusting Him, and she chose to act in faith that she would conceive. She gave her son, Samuel (meaning “because I have asked the Lord") back to God as soon as he was weaned and God blessed her with more children + Samuel grew up to be a Godly man. What our mothers teach us often sticks like Hannah’s faith stuck for Samuel. God is also expecting mothers to teach their children about Him, and their children teach their children about Him, and so on.
God’s design for things is always better and He knew what He was doing when he designed the idea of a mother and the idea of family.
For those of us who are blessed to still have our mothers, who, though they are not perfect, we must give thanks to God for them! After all they met our fathers and some changed their names for him, they carried us, felt a lot of pain to bring us into this world, their bodies are forever tattooed with stretch marks from when we grew inside of them, they put up with us when we cried in public, they put band-aids on our skinned knees, they helped us with our homework, they cared for us when we were sick, they’ve had some sleepless nights because of us, they baked cakes for our birthdays, comforted us when we got our hearts broken, they listen and offer advice, they’ll always love us no matter what we do or say, and they’re constantly giving so that we might have. Let’s do something nice for them this mother’s day 2015! Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers!
Happy Friday and Happy Mother’s Day! xx
[1] Lilian Calles Barger.
[2] This concept was taken from John and Stasi Eldredge in their books: “Wild at Heart” and “Captivating.”