God’s Plan for Mothers

By Ron Bartanen

    Someone has jokingly said that while man may be the head of the home, the wife and mother is the backbone. To be man’s “equal”, a woman does not have to act, work or dress like a man. While men and women have different roles in life, they are equal in the sight of God.
    A woman, by her nature,  seems to be the more nurturing than a man, although this may not always be the case. For instance Roman-Emperor Nero’s mother was a murderess, while President George Washington’s mother was described as pious, true and pure. As we see the importance of motherhood being downplayed in today’s society, is it any surprise that so much confusion reigns? President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Into the woman’s keeping is committed the destiny of the generations to come after us.”
    As Mother’s Day is observed today, let us give proper honor to the mothers and grandmothers, especially to those that seek to guide their families in the way of righteousness. The apostle Paul’s fellow-laborer in the gospel, Timothy, had the advantage of two women who positively impacted his life before he ever knew Paul. The Apostle wrote Timothy, reminding him, “…I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt in thy grandmother Lois and thy mother: and I am persuaded that in thee also” (2 Timothy 1:5), later adding, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15). The example set for him in the lives of these two godly women, coupled with their obviously sharing with him from the Old Testament Scriptures, prepared his heart and mind for the receiving of the message of the Gospel. We need more women (and men, too, for that matter) who will instill within their children at an early age a love for the holy Scriptures. For a generation to arise that will continue to honor the Bible in word and in deed, it is imperative that it be enlightened from the word of God—and, the sooner, the better, for “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
    The old saying, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world” could seldom have been more needed than it is in today’s world. I wonder if mothers may have been largely responsible for the condition in Israel as described in Judges2:10: “…there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.” As there seems to be a shorter supply of godly nurturers in today’s society, and our homes become dependent upon “public education” to raise and nurture the children, it cannot come as a surprise when godliness gives way to “politically correct” standards based on human folly, and not the word of God.        

- Ronald Bartanen preaches for Arthur Church of Christ, Arthur, IL.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://arthurcoc.com/