I am not a mother yet, but every single day I dream about what my future children will be like. Every day, I pray that all of my future children will be saved and live a life glorifying to the Lord. They are the pieces in my life that I am missing daily, and in God’s timing and will, I am looking forward to meeting them. With the love I feel for my future children, who are not even born yet, I have come to understand the depth of love my mom has for me. Although I am not a mother yet, Scripture and my own mother’s influence have shown me how significant and lasting the mark of a mother is.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
“For better or worse mothers are the the makers of men; they are the architects of the next generation. That’s why the goal of becoming a godly mother is the highest and most noble pursuit of womanhood.” – John MacArthur
Mothers have one of the most important jobs, for they are raising up the next generation of Christians. This calling from God for all mothers is not something to be taken lightly. Although salvation is ultimately in the hands of the Lord, in a mother’s hands are little souls, and she is called to raise them to love the Lord and to glorify Him. As part of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), all Christians are called to share the Gospel, and the greatest evangelism work a mother will do is that for her children. Jonathan Edwards exhorted to teach children to love Jesus above all. Teaching children to love Jesus most will mean that everything they do will come out of that love for Christ.
“Train up a child in the way in which you know you should have gone yourself.” – Charles Spurgeon
“The process of shaping the child, shapes also the mother herself. Reverence for her sacred burden calls her to all that is pure and good that she may teach primarily by her own humble, daily example.” – Elisabeth Elliot
If you are a homeschool mom, then you are likely quite familiar with Charlotte Mason. A large part of Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy is habit training. Teaching a child good habits from a young age will set him up to maintain these habit routines throughout his life. Children often learn from observing. If a mother wants to impart certain habits onto her child, then she must be exhibiting them herself. Habits, such as daily Bible reading, prayer, worship, good manners, etc., must first be exhibited by a mother, for she is the one the children will most be watching (as the one whom children will spend the most time with). I can testify that watching my own mother stay so disciplined in any work set before her led me to develop the same disciplined work ethic. As Charlotte Mason said, “An observant child should be put in the way of things worthy of observing.” Whether you are currently a mother or anticipating motherhood, one of the best things you can do for your (future) child is to cultivate and maintain godly habits.
“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” Proverbs 29:15 (KJV)
“Where the plough does not go, and the seed is not sown, the weeds are quite sure to multiply; and if children are left untutored and untrained, all sorts of evils will spring up in their hearts and lives.” – Charles Spurgeon
Mothers are so essential in the home, for a child should not be “left to himself.” We have seen such a negative impact of children being raised by government schools and by iPads. As my mother always says, “If you’re not teaching your children to love Jesus, there is someone out there teaching them not to.” James 4:4 tells us that “the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” Mothers must protect their children from the flaming arrows of this evil world, seeking to corrupt them, to steal their innocence, and to lead them away from the Lord. No matter how much the world tries to blur the line, God’s Word eternally stands to define and divide right and wrong. I’m thankful that my mother instilled in my sisters and me to always do what is right, even if it means standing alone. Mothers must stand firm in God’s Word and be a guiding light to their children in this dark world.
“You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, training them up in God’s fear, minding the house, and making your household a church for God as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of Hosts.” – Charles Spurgeon
“The most important of the Lord’s Work that you will ever do will be the work you do within the walls of your home.” – Harold B. Lee
It should be no surprise that our society, which hates children, tries to convince mothers that motherhood is a job beneath them and that they will find freedom and fulfillment from having their children away from them. How do you think this makes children feel? From what I know about motherhood from other women, is that it is no easy job, especially since it is a 24/7 serving job. Nevertheless, one day, when I am a mother, even on the hardest, most tiring days, I pray that my children know how much I love them and enjoy spending time with them. As a child, I spent an extensive amount of time with my mother, and I always knew how much she enjoyed having me around. Something my mom imparted to me about raising children is that “the days are long but the years are short.” Be present and soak in all the moments.
“I believe that trust in God, love for one’s children, and a prayer for wisdom are a recipe for successful parenthood far more reliable than all the books and seminars in the world.” – Elisabeth Elliot
Ultimately, women do not find their worth in motherhood but in their identities in Christ. The outflowing from an identity found in Christ is a desire to live a life of obedience to our Lord Jesus. God calls women to be home with their children. It is only through abiding in Christ that we are enabled to take up God’s calling for our lives (John 15). The world will say “you are enough,” but that’s simply not true. No mother is perfect, for no person is perfect. We all fall short (Romans 3:23-25). I can anticipate that I will even unfortunately make mistakes in the midst of motherhood. But God. What a relief that we don’t have to “be enough” and to meet this Pinterest-perfect standard that none can even meet in the first place! Instead, we can depend on and seek the Lord daily in all things. The Lord is faithful, and we can find rest in all of His promises. What a blessing it is that through Christ reconciling us to the Father, we have direct access to Him (John 14:6), and that we can come to Him for daily grace and renewal of strength (Isaiah 40:31). The Lord is dependable, does not fail, and does not change! “For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Malachi 3:6). The Lord cares for mothers, so cast your anxieties and worries about motherhood on God, and trust Him to enable and guide you to be the mom He calls you to be (1 Peter 5:7).
“Never could it be possible for any man to estimate what he owes to a godly mother.” – Charles Spurgeon
“I am sure that, in my early youth, no teaching ever made such an impression upon my mind as the instruction of my mother; neither can I conceive that, to any child, there can be one who will have such influence over the heart as the mother who has tenderly cared for her offspring.” – Charles Spurgeon
Charles Spurgeon, arguably one of the greatest preachers, attributed much of his love of and devotion to Christ to His mother. Additionally, in Scripture, Timothy’s mother and grandmother, Lois and Eunice, are commended for Timothy’s faith (2 Timothy 1:5). As Sally Clarkson said, “Few things will last after we die, but our children will live throughout eternity. What we do as mothers, therefore, has eternal significance.” Children and grandchildren are a mother’s legacy. What kind of legacy do you want to leave? The best type of legacy you can leave is having children who will stand firm in the Word and will live their life for the Lord.
“A Mother is a chalice, the vessel without which no human being has ever been born. She is created to be a life-bearer, cooperating with her husband and with God on the making of a child. What a solemn responsibility. What an unspeakable privilege–a vessel divinely prepared for the master’s use.” – Elisabeth Elliot
The mark of a mother is one only a woman can leave. A man cannot be a mother. A man can only be a father, a God-given role that is different from the role of a mother. A mother is not a “birthing person.” Let us never underestimate the God-given traits God has given to women to be mothers. Our bodies are created to carry babies and to nurture and feed them. Children are the very embodiment of a married couple being “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Babies and children are people and not just clumps of cells. Just like the rest of man, they have souls, personalities, and likes and dislikes. What a joy to think about how God makes us all unique, for the different purposes He has for each of us (Psalm 139:13-16)! Mothers must cultivate and shape these individualities to glorify God. Children will not only resemble a mother in smile or eyes but also in her character. This reflection comes from my own experience of being told me that after meeting my mother, others can see where much of my mannerisms and personality come from. What an honor, and I hope my future children feel the same way about me! Let the mark you leave be one where your child reflects you as you are reflecting Christ. A mother obedient to the Lord and radiant of good fruits is worthy of praise!
“Teach the Scriptures to your children daily, disicpline your children consistently, and love your children unconditionally. If you do these things, you will have acted biblically.” – Paul Washer
“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” Proverbs 31:28
