Maybe you would argue with me, but I am pretty sure my mom is the world’s most amazing mother. She has given me more than I ever asked for (and trust me, I’ve asked for a lot), she bandaged my scrapped knees as a kid, and when road of life has been rough she has helped to bandage my hurting heart. When I’ve felt unloved, she has loved me. When I was scared, she scattered my fears. When I was confused, she brought clarity. When I was selfish, she selflessly gave to teach me what it meant to be more like Christ.
My Mom is so special to me, I want to tell you about her and the things that she has taught me.
The first thing I have learned from my mom’s example is that moms have a hard job and a high calling. A recent survey found that during an average housewife’s lifetime she cooks 35,000 meals, makes from 10,000 to 40,000 beds, vacuums a rug a mile long and a tenth of a mile wide and cleans 7,000 sinks and toilets. In addition to these never ending tasks, a mom is usually the one to emotionally cultivate their child’s heart and impart daily wisdom into their life.
Chuck Swindoll presents that the influence of a mother can be best seen in Proverbs 24 verses 3-4:
By wisdom a house is built,
and by understanding it is established;
by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.
Swindoll explains that a mom provides wisdom for her children by “helping them view life with godly decrement.” So many times I’ve gone to mom to ask for advice on work, school, relationships, or spiritual matters. Many times over coffee at our favorite shop, she has imparted truth into my specific life situation. It’s like what Proverbs says in chapter 31:
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Next, Swindoll identifies that “understanding” in chapter 24 is a mom’s skill of responding with godly insight. There have been many times when I have been a blubbering idiot or an angry devil and my mom has had to cut to my core with a Godly stable answer.
He also explains that a mom must impart knowledge to her kids. “Knowledge” is the rare trait of going beyond the facts to perceiving, discovering and growing together in Christ.” Sometimes all I can see is the facts and I just get wrapped up in the emotions of the moment. My mom has a duty and a gift of being able to see the light of truth and help me grow in the knowledge of the same.
Finally, when Proverbs 24 says that the “Rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches” Swindoll explains that these could be metaphorically understood as a “Rich heritage of godly character traits, deep relationship and lasting memories.” My magnificent mom has truly imparted wisdom, understanding and knowledge into my life and given me a rich heritage.
Moms, be encouraged-us kids need you! We don’t expect you to be perfect; we just need you to be there – a present part of our lives.
Lets not forget to tell our mom how much she means to us this week. Bless her by telling her that you love her and appreciate her. Write it in a card or an email. Call her or text her. Do what ever is necessary to make sure she knows that she has continually impacted your life.
Mom, I love you. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for pointing me to Christ. You’ve taught me what to look for in a wife, and you have given me a great example of what it means to be a godly parent. Proverbs 31:29 is for you mom. I Love you.
