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Chairman’s Desk
May/June 2001 Family Voice
Happy Mother’s Day! Moms, I hope you enjoy your day and are pampered a little—you certainly deserve it. I know from experience that those of you with children at home have one of the most challenging jobs ever created. But it is also a job with rich rewards. Over the years, Tim and I have had the wonderful joy of watching our four children grow into strong Christian adults. Now, we enjoy our grandchildren as they grow and mature. What a blessing to see your life has made a difference!
Moms, you are making a difference. Whether your day is filled with rocking a newborn, driving a carpool, helping with algebra homework—or all of the above—you are shaping lives.
You set your household’s tone and nurture your family physically, emotionally and spiritually. I know many dear saints who rise early every morning to pray for their husbands and children before they prepare breakfast and get them off for the day. Everyone runs to you with scraped knees, burning fevers or hurt feelings. Your touch heals a multitude of wounds!
Timeless TouchYour mothering touch will benefit your children for a lifetime. In turn, it will benefit our society and nation for generations. In the midst of your daily routine, you may not feel as though you are making a difference, but consider these statements from two sons about their mothers. Renowned evangelist and theologian John Wesley once said he learned more about Christianity from his mother than “from all the theologians in England.” President George Washington, whose mother was widowed at the young age of 35, wrote, “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All that I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.”
I imagine these women were tired at day’s end. They had to do the laundry, cleaning and cooking, as well as oversee their children’s education—all without electricity, running water or any of our modern-day conveniences. In her wonderful book, Moms Make a Difference (Harvest House), Lindsey O’Connor recounts how Susanna Wesley considered what else she could do for God, and how she could combat negative influences in her children’s lives. So she decided to spend one hour a week with each of them. This was no small feat, since at that time she had nine! But this faithfulness to God and to her children shaped who they became.
You Can Change the WorldMoms, your faithfulness to God and your children can change the world. Consider these mothers who placed their faith—and children—in God’s hands: Jochebed defied the pharaoh’s brutal edict and hid her son Moses in a basket in the Nile River. Mary gave birth to the Son of God amid a disbelieving culture—and amid many raised eyebrows, I’m sure. Monica prayed incessantly for her unbelieving son, Augustine, until he at last became a Christian and later, a renowned theologian/philosopher. Catherine Carmichael supported her missionary daughter Amy as she lived in squalid conditions to serve the poor in Japan, China, Ceylon and India. “Ordinary” Moms
These were all “ordinary” mothers who raised extraordinary children. Without them, history would undoubtedly be very different. Like so many of you, they committed themselves to raising men and women of character and moral strength. More importantly, they raised their children to know God and His Word.
Moms, on many days you may feel like just an “ordinary” mom. But God has entrusted you with an extraordinary role. I encourage you to look for opportunities each day to shape those little lives with God’s truths. You never know how God will use your teaching to impact their lives and the culture!
For those of you whose children have already left the “nest,” let me admonish you to be a mentor and friend to a young mother. She will benefit greatly from your experience, wisdom and friendship. In Titus 2:4, the apostle Paul urges older women to “admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children.” I know many young mothers would appreciate a voice of reassurance and encouragement to call upon during long and frustrating days!
Moms, you are essential—to your children and your family. Your daily sacrifices and faithful, consistent love are priceless investments in your children’s lives. That, in turn, is critical to all of us.
More from May/June 2001 Family Voice
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