Happy Mother's Day

A teacher asked a boy this question: Suppose your mother baked a pie and there were seven of you--your parents and five children. What part of the pie would you get? A sixth, replied the boy. I’m afraid you don’t know your fractions, said the teacher, Remember, there are seven of you. Yes, teacher, said the boy, but you don’t know my mother. Mother would say she didn’t want any pie.

Last week while teaching Pathfinders on Family life I was warmed with how they talk about gentle love they expect and receive from mothers. Bible students are familiar with different Greek words for love – agape, phileo, eros. Yet, apostle Paul introduces another term “phileoteknos” – the special love mothers have to their children. (Titus 2:4-5) Biblically speaking, the primary role of mothers is to create love. The idea that flows out of this word is that of “preferring” our children, “caring” for them, “nurturing” them, “affectionately embracing” them, “meeting their needs,” “tenderly befriending” each one as unique from the hand of God.

Evangelism has always been our priority as a Church, our mission. Mother’s love is also evangelism – it gives children the good news about love that exceeds all understanding. Mothers’ love reveal God. God promises to comfort us as the mother comforts (Isaiah 66:13).

As we celebrate the 93^rd Mothers’ Day this weekend let your love show. A survey of 600 college students, who were asked to write down the most beautiful word in the English language, counted 422 of them wrote the word "mother". Do not forget to call your mother. If you know some mothers that are lonely – give them a call.

I think about mothers who grieve thinking they cannot provide what their children need. In our materialistic world expressions of love are often perceived through material things. Yet, the greatest gift mothers give is shaping our capacity to love. Love is a gift that grows when used. As you offer it – it also grows.

Ellen G. White, a mother of four boys wrote these words of advice: “I would impress upon mothers that women are accountable for the talents God has intrusted to them. They may engage in missionary work at home, in their families. Their influence is fully equal to that of the husband and father. The most elevated work for woman is the molding of the character of her children after the divine pattern. She should gain their affections; she should cherish love; for with these precious traits of character she can have a transforming influence upon the family circle. If she makes a success here, she has gained the victory. Society will feel her influence in the deportment and moral worth of her children. The church will bless her because she has educated and developed talent which will be of the highest value. She gives to the church, men and women who will not flinch from duty however taxing. If Christian mothers had always done their work with fidelity, there would not now be so many church trials on account of disorderly members. Mothers are forming the characters which compose the church of God. When I see a church in trial, its members self-willed, heady, high-minded, self-sufficient, not subject to the voice of the church, I am led to fear that their mothers were unfaithful in their early training. (letter, April 1, 1880)

It is our dream to see our church family more loving, more caring, more affectionate. Mothers, help us all by your loving kindness.