The Joy of Motherhood

By Peter Klashorst [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Proverbs 31:10-31

“Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.  She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes; she reaches out her hands to the needy.  She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.  She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honour are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.”  Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates”.

Today is Mothers Day, a day devoted to honoring mothers and motherhood. 

This passage in Proverbs is a passage I suppose every woman should learn by heart and have it printed on cards and hang them in all conspicuous corners of her home. It is the job description for every mother. We will just highlight a few things in the passage about the virtuous woman.

First, we are told that she cannot be priced; she is trustworthy and she is a balanced woman. She knows where her limits and her responsibilities begin. She knows also where to begin her duties. Her main office is the home. She ensures that the children and the husband are in good hands. In other words, she is the good “Minister of Home affairs” in charge of the Treasury and the supplies.

No woman will be able to effectively carry-out the work of a mother if she does not first give herself to the Lord, Jesus Christ so that she will be in a position to train and bless her children in the spiritual way by her words and conduct. To fulfil the highest standard of motherhood as laid down in the Scripture, she must sacrificially give herself to her family and unselfishly put the family first. Today many mothers now regard their work higher than parenthood. Many regard their educational pursuit and position much higher in priority that motherhood. How often do you see “Chief”, “Dr.” And even “Reverend” with a little (Mrs.) in bracket as a description of a mother?

The Bible says:  “She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.” And because of this, “her children rise up and call her blessed”, her husband also, and he praises her:  “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.”  The result of the negligence of the high office of motherhood is the decadence of our society today. Our jails and prisons are filled with children whose mothers neglected their roles. Our mental institutions are full of children whose mothers did not “watch over the ways of her household”  Our streets are full of delinquent children who are armed robbers, drug peddlers and addicts because their mothers “eat the bread of idleness”. Many husbands are hypertensive and some have populated the cemeteries because “the hearts of the husbands do not trust” their wives.

One mother who diligently put into practice the principles of motherhood has this testimony written: 

“When my children were young I thought the very best thing I could do for them was to give them myself. So I spared no pains to talk to them, read to them, teach them and to pray with them, and in this way to be a loving companion and friend to my children. I had to neglect my housework often. I had no time to improve myself in many ways that I   should have liked to do. I have my reward now! My sons are ministers of the Gospel, my grown up daughters are Christian women. I have plenty of time now to sit down and rest, plenty of time to keep my house in order , plenty of time to indulge myself  in many ways, besides going about my Master’s business; wherever He has need of me. I have a thousand beautiful memories of their childhood to comfort me. Now that they have gone out into the world for themselves, I have a sweet consciousness of having done all that I could do to make them ready for whatever work God calls them to do. I gave them the best that I had myself.”

How many mothers today in our society can say the same thing of themselves? How many of our young mothers can today resolve to have a testimony like this in the next fifteen to twenty years? The number determines the extent of which our mothers fulfil their role of motherhood.

The reward of devotion is always there.

Four clergymen were discussing the various translations of the Bible. One liked the King James Version because of its beautiful English. Another the Revised Version of 1881 because of its literal and accurate translation of the original Hebrew and Greek. The third likes the James Moffat translation for its up to date vocabulary. The fourth was silent. When asked to express his opinion he replied, ‘I like my mother’s translation best’. The others were surprised. ‘I didn’t know your mother translated the Bible’ one said. ‘Oh yes’ came the reply. ‘She translated it into life and it was the most convincing translation I ever saw’. There has never been any obscurity about her version” _ J.C. Mitchell

Such mothers will ever find their children rising up to call them blessed and their husbands praising them.

God has promised a reward for such mothers: “but a woman, who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates”.(Proverbs 31:30-31)

Our society will be the better if our mothers will rise to their calling and feel the pride and joy of motherhood. God bless you all and have a Happy Mothers Day