Motherly Characteristics
In just a few short days, we will be celebrating all those who are mothers. While everyone has a different journey into motherhood, I want to point out that being a mother isn’t just about giving birth to a child. There are many different ways that a woman can become a mother, whether it is through adoption, marriage, or simply stepping in for a child who needs an example of what a Christian woman is. The fact is, there is no one path to motherhood, what is important is the characteristics that a woman has. So today, I want to look at an example of a few women in the Bible and see what characteristics we should have in regards to children.
It only seems fitting, to start this comparison with the mother of our Lord and Savior, Mary. Luke 1:26-56 depicts the angel visiting and informing Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah. Many women I am sure would have been frightened about this, how could they raise the child of God? How would society view them? How would their family view them? And most importantly, what gave them the right for this honor? Verses 46-55 give us Mary’s response, and it is all honoring God. Mary puts aside her own worries and places her life in control of God. She knows that He would handle all that she would face.
Next on our list is, Lois and Eunice. For those who don’t know, these two women were the mother and grandmother to Timothy who became a pillar in the early church. Their faith helped to form Timothy into a man who was willing to follow God’s direction in his path. “I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” 2 Timothy 1:3-5.
Finally, I want to look at a verse that describes how a woman should be. “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.” Titus 2:3-5. We are called to invest in those who will come behind us. The terms older/younger in this passage could mean someone of a different physical age or someone who is at a different point in their spiritual walk. To have that Christian mother characteristic we are called to ensure that we are raising other strong individuals in the faith.
So today while you are celebrating however, your motherhood journey is; please keep in mind these examples and see how you can grow into more of a Christian mother. Remember, this may not necessarily be to children who are biologically yours, you can still have an important impact in the lives of those who will come up behind us.
Happy Mother’s Day,
Alex