Mothers

A few comments on Mothers by Attorney Mike Smith, President of Home School Legal Defense Association

Along the journey of motherhood, there are times when every mom may feel discouraged and wonder if the work she does is even noticed. But whatever society may say, motherhood is one of the most important callings in the world.

Just like every Olympic champion needs someone to train and support them, so every child needs a trainer to guide them through life.

Expectant parents often talk about how frightening it is to think, for the first time, about what it really means to be a parent. Not only are they taking on the responsibility of guarding the physical well-being of another person, they are also assuming responsibility for the child’s moral well-being. When you think about parenting in that respect, it’s no small thing.

The fact that mothers strive to fulfill this role of moral trainer and mentor, day after day, should not be overlooked. Moms, your efforts are to be commended.

But have you ever wondered if you’re work is worth it? On the days when you have to tell your 3-year-old “no” a hundred times or correct your teenager for his attitude again, it can feel as though your efforts are all in vain.

Be encouraged: as you focus on training your child in moral principles, you're ensuring their eternal well-being. This part of mothers’ responsibility is so important that Scripture specifically recognized moms for doing this job. In I Timothy 1:5, Paul writes that because of the faith evident in the lives of Timothy’s mother and grandmother, he is confident that he will find Timothy to be a man of solid faith.

Moms, though others may overlook this aspect of your job, be encouraged that it has already received eternal recognition.

We praise leadership in our society. But did you ever stop to think about how great leaders develop?

George Washington once said, “I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from [my mother].” And Abraham Lincoln said, “All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”

Last time, we looked at the vital role that every mother plays in instilling strong moral character in her children, raising tomorrow’s leaders in faith. There is another aspect of leadership that a mother’s tender, faithful training can help to develop, and that’s civic leadership.

Sadly, we see very few strong moral leaders in our society today. It’s not because the potential is not there, but because the potential was never shaped and molded through consistent training. Moms, this is an area where your work is invaluable and has far-reaching implications. The great leaders throughout our nation’s history have been those with strong character and determination to do right. Both of these personal disciplines are shaped through the daily challenges, promptings, and guidance that you as a mother can give your children better than anyone else.

You won’t find this kind of training in a classroom, because it requires a trainer who knows the student’s faults and strengths as intimately as their own-the kind of trainer only a parent can be.

Moms, your work reaches beyond the well-being and success of your children. Like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, men and women who have been trained in this kind of character can impact a nation.

We’re all accustomed to receiving gifts-packages wrapped in bright paper with eye-catching bows. But sometimes we overlook the gifts that come in less obvious packaging.

As a mom, it might be easy to feel you are being taken for granted. Children don’t often stop to thank their mothers for everything they do-hundreds of dirty diapers changed, the thousands of meals prepared, and the day-to-day care and guidance provided.

But have you ever considered how we as parents may take our children for granted? As in any relationship, routine can sometimes cause us to overlook the special characteristics of the other person.

Scripture tells us that children are a gift from the Lord. Stop for a minute and think about your children from that perspective—as a personal gift given to you from the Lord. Although it doesn’t change the fact that each day will hold its challenges, this perspective enables us to approach those challenges differently. There will always be numerous things vying for our attention and requiring our time. But of all those things, none can be called a gift chosen for and delivered especially to us.

It’s true that none of the other gifts we received in life will require as much effort and determination from us as our children do. But none of the other gifts return the benefits of motherhood either.

Look around at the gifts that have been given to you in your children, and continue to press forward as you discover all the richness that each one of them holds.