Honest Abe! Yep! That was the nickname of Abraham Lincoln because of his mother Nancy's rearing him in the Scriptures, especially the Ten Commandments. She had passed away when he was only nine years old, but in those nine years she made an indelible impression upon his heart and life. Years later, when reflecting upon her influence and why he had lived such an honest life, he said, "All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”
This mother's day is another wonderful opportunity to tell our mothers how much we appreciate them. Yet it is more than just providing them a meal, a card, a few flowers or some gift. It truly should be a heartfelt appreciation and reflection for all that motherhood stands and lives for. Mothers are indeed the supreme essence of life but a godly mother is a jewel that is to be prized above all other possessions. And as the years pass on, this truth becomes more evident to me. Though my mother has now been gone from this life for over four years, she embodied what a godly mother should be. My mother was not the daughter of a preacher or a famous person, nor did she ever go to college. She was not a career woman and did not make lots of money. But my mother's life and dedication to raising four boys is what makes me realize that where I am today and who I am is in great part due to the godly heritage my mother established. As I reflect on my dear mother today, I am grateful that she was...
Saved in her life! Exactly 40 years (to the day) prior to my mother's burial she and my dad were born again by faith in Jesus Christ. This was not simply a decision one night and life goes on the same. This was a decision that changed the rest of my parent's life (2 Cor. 5:17). My mom not only became a Christian herself in 1975 but was instrumental in leading each of her four boys to a saving knowledge of Christ. She also had the wonderful privilege of seeing some of her grandchildren place their faith in Christ as well. Talk about a godly heritage (Ps. 16:6). But I believe that today four of her boys and 10 grandchildren are all born again because a mother led the way in promoting that which was most vital in this world and the next: the gospel of Jesus Christ! But I am also grateful that she was...
Simple in her faith! When I was young, I remember one of the first times I got to sit in the front seat of my mom's car. A magnet was attached to the glove box and it read something like this: "God said it! I believe it! That settles it!" Could I say, that summarized the life of my mother. Case in point. On a few occasions, my father, a hard working machinist, had been laid off from his work. Growing up, we boys did not understand much about the intricacies of being the bread winner. We lived life and lived it to the fullest with what we had. But these rough spots made a mark on us because we at least understood that no work meant no money and no money meant hardship. But my mom would often come with reassuring and simple words such as these: "God will provide." "Don't worry! All we need to do is trust God." Those words still ring in my ear today as I think of her. Yet I am grateful that she also was...
Sweet in her character! My mother was the gentlest of all people. She wouldn't hurt the tiniest of God's creatures, would walk away from an argument, and was sweet even to her enemies. It is that tenderness and warmth that made my mother such a godly woman in my estimation. She embodied the reasonableness and gracious spirit that ought to characterize every child of God (Gal. 5:22).
If you have a godly mother and she is still living, show the proper gratitude that she is due. If she has passed on, whisper a prayer of thanks to the Lord for placing her in your life. And if you are a mother today or seek to be one soon, then let these plain qualities be a target which you can aspire to. There are certainly many other good things that can be said of godly mothers, but on this day, in my personal reflection, I can't think of anything better! Thank you mom for being that godly woman! I love you!
Note: The picture is of my family when I was 12 years old!
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