Godly Mothers

Background Scripture: Proverbs 31; Exodus 2:1-10
Lesson Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-12, 23-31

Introduction

What kind of a picture do you get in your mind when you read the title? Does it invoke warm memories of your childhood, sitting on your mother’s lap while she reads to you? Do you see an angelic face with love and warmth radiating from it? Some, however, may not have such memories, but only pain, harshness, or rejection.

A mother is predisposed by God to love her children. The love of a mother is distinctly different from other loves. A wayward child may be a disappointment to others, yet a mother’s love will live on. This lesson will explore what being a godly mother is about, which is something God desires for every mother. If the standard is raised so high that some mothers will feel like a failure, the purpose of today’s study has missed its mark. Rather, it is to encourage each mother to recognize that she is an earthen vessel God desires to work through. By his grace, godly virtue can be poured out on our children and families, and God will be glorified.

Key Verse

For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord (1 Sam. 1:27-28).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

“Who can find a virtuous woman?” is a rhetorical question, a means of articulating a principle or idea. Other translations use words like noble character, capable, and excellent alongside the word virtuous. To have a wife or mother with these attributes is priceless indeed.

The lesson scripture portrays a high standard, and it may well be that no one feels like they can measure up to it. However, when the heart of a mother is fixed on God, the grace of God covers her shortcomings. This gives us a road map to live for and strive for, not with the heavy load of obligation but with a sense of joy in filling our place in love and devotion to God.

The old saying “It takes a village to raise a child” gives space for all Christian women, whether single or married, to be involved in the work of motherhood by teaching, care, concern, and nurture of the church’s young. Faithful women fill this role by being involved in our church, community, and extended families. It may be the tendency of some to withdraw and feel like there is nothing to do and no place to fill, but the opportunities are there. As each one gives of themselves, everyone will find and fill their own unique place, and all will be blessed and fulfilled.

The heart of every child longs for a caring mother. They may not realize what they really are longing for, but its absence will leave a void. Love, security, and having someone who is a constant presence are the provisions of a godly mother who fills her place in the home.

Homes need structure and a certain amount of routine. Children need to know that yes means yes and no means no. When parents vacillate and change their minds on a whim or allow the child to change their parent’s minds too often, it produces insecurity. Children need to know what to expect from their parents.

Patience is a virtue, and for many it may be the most tested one of all. When patience flies out the window, the law of kindness and wisdom goes with it, and we become reactive instead of being proactive. An antidote for this is to begin the day with God, even if it is only a very short prayer. Many times throughout the day, we will feel the need to sigh a prayer. God is a giver, and He wants to see us be successful even more than we do ourselves. We may not always be so God-conscious, but the canopy of his grace covers us as we live our day in Him.

Verse 29 sums up how a family should feel about their mother. “Mother, you are the best. There are many godly mothers, but we have been blessed to call you our very own mother.” When husband and children truly feel this way, it will make her shine with a special radiance.

Practical Truths for Today

We live in a busy world with many distractions. The cares of this life are real and press in on us from every direction. Trying to meet the needs of a family, juggle the finances, and manage the social schedule along with associated school and church duties can leave mothers emotionally and physically exhausted at times.

Most mothers surely wonder occasionally if they are filling their place the way God would have them to. Enough quiet time for themselves, time to read to the little ones, and time to listen and share with the older ones may often seem difficult to come by. The world today puts a lot of stock in quality time, but being at home and working with our family has many blessings, and it can be quality time even if it is work. Some days it may seem like all a mother gets accomplished is to get herself and her family through the day.

Someone coined the saying many years ago that goes like this: “The rarified atmosphere of a meager paycheck produces blossoms of exceptional loveliness.” When it feels like we are not keeping up with our peers and we have many wants that are not met, we can find comfort in knowing that all the material things of life are in fact only the weak elements of earth and time. When all is said and done, it is doubtful that the mother will be remembered for how much money she contributed to the household income. Mothers need to hold on to an eternal view, for that is where the real treasure of motherhood is found.

Job had the eternal view; when all was gone but his life, he still recognized that he had the most important thing left in life—a relationship with his God. Too many times when the going gets tough, the first thing we want to do is throw in the towel and become discouraged about Christian life.

“Slow and steady wins the race” describes the race that each mother is in. She is in to win, not for herself but for her family. It is not about great heroics but a constant and deliberate course. At times it might seem completely fruitless and that nothing is being accomplished, but underneath, character is being formed and progress is being made. When this is done day in and day out, there is confidence, strength, and stability in our homes.

Wives, respect your husband and honor him and never reprove or degrade him in front of your children. Husbands, love your wife, care for her, and give her space to be the woman that God wants her to be.

What is caught is so often more important than what is taught. If our family can feel that we love the Lord and we are living for Him, that will be more important than meeting a high standard of housekeeping, crafts, yard, flowers, or socializing.

Just a little white house ’neath the tall, spreading trees,

Nothing grand or beautiful to catch the eye,

But it’s home to me and will always be,

Because there’s love inside.

It’s the love inside that makes the windows shine,

It’s the love inside that makes me glad it’s mine;

Any humble home can become a castle high

If there’s only some love inside.1

God bless all Christian mothers with hope, faith, and courage.

Questions

1. Are the verses in the lesson text attainable or an ideal?
2. How are mothers to deal with the feeling of never quite measuring up? How can husbands and fathers help?
3. In today’s world, much is made of quality time. Is spending time in everyday life with our family doing the normal tasks of life being minimized?
4. 1 Merilee Fast, “The Love Inside,” Daybreak Vol. II

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).