Mothers' Day

How is your Mothers' Day being spent? For some it is recalling pleasant memories of years gone by. For others it is with a gift of a card and flowers and a good meal. For still others it is a telephone conversation across many miles. Visits in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and even hospitals will be the way for many to see Mom today.

There was a day when the role of women was limited to that of being a housewife and the bearer of children. Those roles still exist but many more roles have been extended to women. Businesses, professions, and leadership positions are often filled by women who will still cook the meals, clean the house, and care for the children. Churches might find them hard pressed for quality leaders and even some staff if they overlooked the gifted women who fill the pews of the church.

I am blessed to have loving and godly women who fill the spaces on my family's genealogy chart. One particular passage of Scripture stands out to me in being most appropriate on this Mothers' Day.

Proverbs 31:10-31

New American Standard Bible

Description of a Worthy Woman

¹⁰ An excellent wife, who can find her? For her worth is far above 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 evil all the days of her life.

¹³ She looks for wool and linen, and works with her hands in delight.

¹⁴ She is like merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.

¹⁵ And she rises while it is still night and gives food to her household, and portions to her attendants.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She surrounds her waist with strength and makes her arms strong.

¹⁸ She senses that her profit is good; her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.

²⁰ She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy.

²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

²² She makes 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, and supplies belts to the tradesmen.

²⁵ Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.

²⁶ She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

²⁷ She watches over the activities of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. ²⁸ Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

²⁹ “Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.”

³⁰ Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

³¹ Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

So Happy Mothers' Day to all who have given birth to children, to all who have adopted children, and to all who have stepped in to fulfill the role of a mother when the mother was not present.

Take time today and this week to speak your thanks and love to the one who has served as your mother as you walk this life journey.