In Praise of Mothers!

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Proverbs 31:28

Throughout history, poets and orators have been lavish in their praise of motherhood. George Washington said, ‘My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am, I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual, and physical education I received from her.’ Abraham Lincoln wrote, ‘My mother’s prayers…have always followed me. They’ve clung to me all my life.’ And Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, ‘I cannot tell you how much I owe to the solemn word of my good mother.’

Centuries ago, people worshipped at their local parish church, but on one Sunday during Lent, known as Refreshment Sunday, they were encouraged to visit their ‘mother church’ – the cathedral in their diocese or the church where they were baptized. Apprentices and those who were in service at large estates and houses would be allowed to take the day off to pay a visit to their mothers and families – ‘going mothering’. Then, in 1913, a lady called Constance Smith heard about Anna Jarvis’ crusade for giving public recognition to the mothers of America through an annual ‘Mother’s Day’. Inspired by this, Constance decided to revive Mothering Sunday in the UK, promoting it as a celebration of mothers as well as the mother church.

As a result, Mothering Sunday is observed today across the British Isles and the Commonwealth! The Bible says, ‘A good woman is…worth far more than diamonds…She senses the worth of her work and is in no hurry to call it quits…When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say and…always says it kindly…Her children respect and bless her’ (vv. 1, 9, 17, 28). Could there be a more worthy tribute?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I want to thank You for everything that my mother taught me and how she nurtured my relationship with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen