What Is a Mother?

Louise Shattuck

Do you know that Webster defines a mother as "a female parent"? This is the understatement of all time, and I'd like to tell Mr. Webster why this description should be revised.

A mother is a walking encyclopedia. Her children expect her to know where the sun goes at night, how jet propulsion works, what the principal exports of Thailand are, and where kittens come from.

A mother is a master mechanic who can get a trouser leg out of a bicycle chain and fix anything with cellophane tape and a hairpin. She is a practical nurse who can remove splinters and loose teeth painlessly, stop an earache in the middle of the night, and cure a case of measles before the fourth grade picnic.

She is a sage who is wise enough to know when her son has reached the stage at which he would rather die than be kissed in public. Yet she is an innocent who never ceases to wonder at the miracle of life.

A mother is all of this and more. Motherhood may not seem like "big business" when you are trying to stretch the family budget to include braces on teeth or a new pair of shoes, but you have what money cannot buy. Your children are your investment for the future.

Mother, you are important. God has placed the lives of your children in your hands. They will bear the imprint of your love and concern throughout their lives. Will they grow to be responsible adults, knowing the value of right from wrong? Will they be happy and secure in their relationship with God and others?

God has not left you to raise your children alone. He has provided a guide. The Bible is His revelation to you; it is God's divine love letter. In it you will find His guidelines for living.

God wants to give you and your family life at its absolute best. That is why He sent Jesus Christ to provide a spiritual foundation that will help your family weather the storms of life together.

Jesus Christ says, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10b). You receive that life by believing that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead to give you a new way of living.

If you have never received Christ as your Savior and Lord, turn to Him today. Not only your eternal destiny but the future of your family will be affected by your decision.

"As many as received Him (Christ), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12).

© 2002-2004 Good News Publishers. Used by permission.
Translated by permission of Good News Publishers
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