For some women, the childbirth process that ushers in Motherhood may begin as a painful process, and during the course of raising the child, some painful moments may occur as well (Proverbs 10:1), but the rewards for being a godly mother are priceless. Paul in I Timothy 2:15 states; “But women shall be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.” Unlike the world, Paul viewed being a mother and wife as a blessed position for a woman; “Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach.”
The Bible instructs children to honor her (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-2) to the point, in the Old Testament, if her children either cursed or strike her they were stoned to death (Exodus 21:15,17; Proverbs 19:26; 20:20; 28:24; 30:17). The honor was even elevated to the point of reverence (Leviticus 19:3). Notice in this passage (Leviticus 19:3) that the mother is listed first. Maybe because the woman experienced tremendous pain in childbirth and played a significant role, along with her husband, in raising their children (Proverbs 6:20). Also, a father can deal with a wayward child objectively and is hurt because of the child’s wayward life, but the Word of God says the mother goes beyond this in that she grieves and experiences shame differently. “A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish son is a grief to his mother.” (Proverbs 10:1) “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” (Proverbs 29:15)
Children were expected to care for their mother when she became old; Proverbs 23:22 “Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” 1 Timothy 5:4; “but if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family, and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable (acceptable in the Bible can also mean worship) in the sight of God.” Godly mothers throughout the Bible were highly respected and honored.
A London editor submitted to Winston Churchill for his approval, a list of all those who had been Churchill’s teachers. Churchill returned the list with this comment: “You have omitted to mention the greatest of my teachers, my mother.”
This is a day that the Lord has made; “Have a wonderful Mother’s Day!!!”