What does the dictionary say:
According to the dictionary the definition of a mother is 1. A female parent, 2. To give birth to, 3. A woman in relationship to her child or children. 4. To bring up with care and affection as in mothering.
Many of you are familiar with the story in I Kings chapter 3, where King Solomon is asked to settle a dispute between two new mothers, one who laid on her child during the night and accidentally killed it, then stole the baby from the other new mother while she slept and claimed it as her own. To resolve this matter King Solomon called for a sword to cleave the child in two and give each mother half of the child. One mother agreed, while the other protested and said give the child to the other mother don’t hurt the child! Solomon then took the child and gave it to the mother who wanted to save its life not to the one who said divide it between the two of us. In Solomon’s wisdom he knew that the true mother’s concern would be for the child’s well-being and safety above all else. He made the right decision when giving it to that mother, because most mothers would give their life for their child before they saw them hurt.
It seems as if things have changed today in our modern society. Other things seem to have taken precedence in a young woman’s life, such as a career, having a good time, and the unwillingness to be tied down. With each generation we have seen a slow change in a mother’s role. While mothers have always been very busy people they didn’t have to compete with the complex schedules that today’s mothers have to contend with. Sometimes I ask myself why they put their children in so many activities, that the children never spend a single day of their youth playing outside. Much of this comes from two working parents creating an atmosphere of latchkey kids having to stay indoors for their safety until a parent comes home. During that time various forms of electronic entertainment acts as babysitter.
I am reminded of Dolly Parton’s song, Coat of Many Colors, based on her own real life experience of her mother making her a coat out of whatever she had available ensuring her daughter would be warm against the winter elements. While sowing this coat her mother told her the Bible story of how Joseph’s father made him a coat of many colors. Dolly said her mother sewed every stitch with love, and she cherished the coat her mother made for her. You see the mother made the coat by hand she didn’t go out and buy it although I’m sure in her pride she would have preferred it. She made sure her children had what they needed any way she could provide it, because her children always came first.
Giving birth makes a mother by definition but not necessarily by practice. To bring up a child with care and affection is what a true mother does. You don’t have to be a biological mother to do those things and often times it is not the case. In nature one of the fiercest instincts is a mother’s love, to nurture, and to protect their offspring.
I have done a little bit of traveling lately and while in the airports and gas stations I like to watch people. I have noticed two types of mothers: the mother who tolerates their children, and the one who shows nurturing and affection. Some parents never take their eyes off their electronic devices and have no clue what their children are doing or where they are wandering off to. You wonder what is so important that the safety of their children does not come first.
What is a mother? I think every person has their own definition of that. I was blessed with a mother who was a nurturer, a disciplinarian, a teacher, a storyteller, a seamstress, a Brownie leader, Boy Scout leader, Lamplighter leader, Sunday school teacher, choir member, and my best friend. To me Webster’s definition of mother falls short when describing her. If you are a mother what category would you put yourself in? Do your children come first?
As parents we can only hope to raise our children to become mature and loving people when they grow up. It is our job to raise with the firm foundation in the Word of God, and the fear and admonition of the Lord. As you have heard me say over and over the best way to do this is by example. By taking them to church and Sunday school. By lifting them up daily in our prayers, and to pray for wisdom and guidance for ourselves in rearing them.
We as authors have often times use single mothers as our heroines. I have great admiration for those mothers who are single-handedly trying to raise children. It is a daunting task when you have a husband, I cannot even imagine doing it on my own. Perhaps we can produce more writings that will give kudos to these exceptionally strong ladies who are yet another definition of what a mother is.
And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.
Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.
I Kings 3:25-27
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
Proverbs 14:1
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Proverbs 31:26-28
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Titus 2:3-5