God's Desire for Mothers | Dana C. Baldwin

Introduction

A. Mothers. We love them. We honor them. We get frustrated with them. There are good mothers; poor mothers; helpful mothers; neglectful mothers. What isn’t possible is for us to feel nothing about mothers. Being a mother isn’t easy. Last week as we looked at God’s Desire for Parents we noticed that in order for parents to fulfill their role well, they needed to do so intentionally. In other words, parents have to think about how they are going to raise their children. To perform that task haphazardly means that we will not only miss opportunities to teach but we will not create opportunities to teach.

B. Mothers do their work best when it is done intentionally. Mothers who do fulfill their roles well think about ways to teach and seek opportunities to teach their children. Today as we look at God’s Desire for Mothers, let us remember God’s view of mothers. God chose to bring Jesus into this world through a woman. He chose Mary to bring the Son of God into the world. Through that act alone, God demonstrated how much he valued women and mothers. But Jesus also valued his mother. On the cross, one of his last requests is that John would care for his mother and that his mother would regard John as his mother. Do not miss how much Jesus loved and valued his mother by making sure that she was going to be cared for not just by anyone but by one that he loved and trusted.

C. As we are reminded today of God’s desire for mothers, let us remember that our God brings different individuals into our lives to assist us. Mothers play an important role for many of us. Let us be thankful for those mothers and mother like individuals who have inspired us, motivated us, and reminded us that faithfulness to our loving God was truly all that mattered.

Various Texts

A. There are a number of texts which help us understand the intent of God for those who are mothers. Let’s begin with the text which was read for us. In 2 Timothy 3, Paul is giving a final set of instructions to his son in the faith — Timothy. And in our text, Paul reminds Timothy to remain committed to the scriptures which were taught to him from his infancy. Who was it that taught Timothy? According to 2 Timothy 1:5 it was his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. These two women made a profound impact on the life of Paul’s protégé and confidante.

B. God’s desire for mothers is to begin the process of teaching your children about the scriptures from infancy. Children begin learning early. Patricia Corder has been demonstrating that truth in our nursery program for years. Children learn quickly how to bow their heads and clasp their hands for prayer. Soon after they learn to talk, they learn to sing. And while Dr. Seuss books are helpful to learn the rhythm of language; there is nothing like a Bible story that helps to inspire a child.

C. Mothers who invest in their children the time and energy to help them know the God that they love will fulfill the desire of God. While there are no guarantees how our children will respond to the teaching, mothers who engage their children with instructions will please God. In Proverbs 1:8, the writer says “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” The text assumes that both parents will instruct but it firmly places the responsibility on the mother to teach and for the child to listen and obey. Mothers — you teach. Children — you obey. This is God’s desire for mothers.

D. In addition to teaching your children, Isaiah reminds us that mothers have another role. In Isaiah 66:13, in making a point about God’s care for his people, God says through Isaiah “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” To comfort includes the idea of consoling another. Comfort is not easily given. In order for one to comfort another there has to be a great deal of compassion. One who comforts best is one who can feel the pain of another. Watch a mother with her child. When the child hurts, a mother hurts. The mother who watches the discomfort of her child and can feel that pain and console the child is fulfilling the will of God.

i. In my teen years, I played sports just about year round. Along with playing sports are injuries. It was my mother who iced the sprain or checked on me regularly to see if she could ease my discomfort.

ii. I watched that with my own children. While I was encouraging them that it didn't hurt as badly as they thought, it was their mother who comforted and consoled. God's desire is that mothers be his arms of comfort to their children.

E. There is another text which speaks about God’s desire for mothers. It is found in 1 Kings 2:19. You will recall that David sinned in committing adultery with Bathsheba. However, David eventually married Bathsheba and they had a child together — Solomon. Solomon became David’s successor as king of Israel. After David’s death, Solomon ascends the throne. Bathsheba has a request to make of Solomon soon after he becomes king. And this text gives us some insight into their relationship.

i. First, notice the respect that Solomon had for his mother. This is not a lesson about children and their response to their mothers but we cannot read this text without being impressed with Solomon's regard for his mother.

ii. Second, notice that Bathsheba understood her position with Solomon. She recognized that he was king and although still his mother she treated him as a king. Here's the point. While a mother is always a mother, when your children grow up and leave home they no longer need to be mothered but respected for who they are.

iii. In other words, there is a time to let go and allow your children to move into the next phase of their lives. Letting go may be difficult. We see the mistakes that they make and we want to correct or we want to guide. But we may not be invited to do such and must not impose upon them.

iv. This, too, is God's desire for mothers. Releasing our children to live their own lives means that we have to recognize that our role as mother is for a limited time. Each generation comes into this world to be taught and instructed and then take on the responsibility of teaching and instructing the next generation.

F. This is the real point. While being a mother is often a thankless job, it is a job whose importance cannot be underestimated. But ultimately the job is one to help our children see God more clearly. It is all about pointing our children to God and then letting them go to demonstrate their faith in their own generation. None of us have insight into how a child should grow nor what a child should do with the blessing of life. But when we point them to God, we then allow them to express that faith. It may not please us, but if it pleases God then that is all that matters.

Follow Jesus

If you’d like to respond to this message or learn more about following Jesus, please reach out.