Exhortation: Mother’s Day and the Rhythm of Resurrection

Grace, Mercy, and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is Mother’s Day! And this is cause to consider the role of mothers.

We cannot begin to think of mothers without speaking of our first mother, Eve. Eve fell because she refused to be a true mother. Eve did not consider her actions in light of the future. Eve had a poor eschatology. She was an existentialist by nature; only the here and now mattered to her. The first lesson mothers need to understand is that the future matters. Mothers are New Eves’ in Christ. This is why mothers are called to live in such a way that influences her children and her children’s children.

Mothers are also warriors. They are defenders of their children. Mothers will kill to defend their little ones. This is inherent in mothers. God has created them to defend the defenseless. They not only nurse, but nurture.

Mothers bless and are blessed. Children, bless them! Husbands, praise them! A good queen beautifies the home, and makes the king look respectable and honorable in his kingdom, and at the gates of the city.

Mothers are also teachers. As they get older and gain more and more biblical wisdom, they become wise matriarchs in communities. People begin to say: “Go to her. Seek her counsel.” But this does not come easily. Mothers need the rhythm of resurrection to grow in wisdom. They need to be constantly reminded that God’s grace is strengthening and building them up in their darkest moments; when they are overwhelmed by their duties; mothers need to embrace the resurrection as a model for life. They need to so cherish the empty tomb that they realize that their perspective on life is shaped by it.

Christian Mothers, you are setting the rhythm for the rest of the world. You are establishing with your lives a pattern for the world to follow. Do not ever allow someone to say that your role is not valued. You are co-heirs of grace. Your children are arrows that pierce the kingdoms of darkness, because you trained them to be great warriors. For every diaper you change, for every alphabet letter you teach, for every kiss, for every song, for every meal you make, for every joy you instill in your children and others in your community, therein is the testimony of God’s grace in the world.

You are God’s gift to the Church, and to your families. Be encouraged in your calling. We need your wisdom, and the world needs it also. Happy Mother’s Day! And may the God of all peace sustain and nourish you with His grace now and forever. Amen.

Prayer: Teach us, O Lord, to honor and delight in mothers. May Your church encourage them in their callings, help in exercising their role, and may You exalt them in due time that they may receive the crown of life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.