“You, my, mother, have been the great means in God’s hand of rendering me what I hope I am. Your kind, warning Sabbath-evening addresses were too deeply settled on my heart to be forgotten… If I have any courage, if I feel prepared to follow my Savior, not only into the water, but should He call me, even into the fire, I love you as the preacher to my heart of such courage, as my praying, watching Mother.”

Charles Spurgeon, excerpt from a letter to his mother

Dearest Believer, 

Whether you are a mother or not, you have, most likely, known of a mother at some point in your life. They may have been good, not so good, or hurtful in some way. But the power of a godly mother is a tremendously precious gift. Those of us who have the responsibility of being a mother must realize the impact we have on our children on a moment by moment basis. The Bible has wonderful wisdom to instruct mothers on how to be a godly influence on our children. Let’s start at the beginning with a definition:

Influence: the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. 

Interestingly,  capacity is not an absolute,  it is a choice. We have the choice within that role to have an a positive or negative effect. Charles Spurgeon mother according to the above quote had quite an impact on the man that was to become, ‘the Prince of Preachers’. Isn’t that the berries! What a gift to raise disciples for Christ! Let’s delve in to a couple of influential Bible moms and their amazing examples…

• Love of the Scriptures- Lois and Eunice: What we know about Timothy’s mother and grandmother is very limited, but was important enough to mention in that it produced a young man that the Apostle Paul called “a true son in the faith” (1 Tim.1:2) and whom wrote about “the genuine faith” (2 Tim. 1:5) that was in him.  This faith, Paul writes, first dwelt with Timothy’s believing mother and grandmother.  What impact this had! Lois and Eunice may not have realized how far their faithful teaching would go, but God’s thoughts are always higher than our thoughts and His ways higher than our ways (Is. 55:9). Their diligent teaching of the Holy Scriptures to Timothy from childhood (2 Tim. 3:15) produced a man of God that was trusted to continue with the greatest ministry of all- teaching and living the gospel of Christ. 

• Faith and Surrender- Hannah: Hannah’s story starts out with “bitterness of soul”. She is barren and miserable, teased relentlessly for her misfortune. But what we learn from her is the resolute faith that God would “remember her” and give her a child. She did not give up in asking God for a child, knowing that only He could be the answer to her heart’s desire. How often as mothers we plead to God in anguish for our children. She not only prayed in faith, but made a vow of surrender, in faith (1 Sam. 1:11). It must not have been easy for her to give up the child she so desperately wanted. But when God answered, she fulfilled her promise to the Lord. Do we have enough trust in the Lord to give Him back what He gave us? Can we surrender freely what is due Him, with the certainty that His will be done in the lives of our children? Let us say with Hannah, “For this child I prayed…therefore I have also lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord” (1 Sam. 1:27-28). No doubt Hannah continued to pray for her child in faith, all the days of her life.

• Wisdom and hard work- King Lemuel’s mother: The words of this King’s mother give us the insight of a mother whose children “rise up and call her blessed”(Prov. 31:28). Her words to a ruler of a kingdom show us not only the need of mothers to impart practical advice, but the power of our example. This mother spoke to her son of relationships (v.3), vices (v. 4), justice (v. 8-9) and traits for his possible future queen (v.10-31). These characteristics were probably derived from the care of her own family.  A life that consisted of dignity, hard work, strength and most importantly, the fear of the Lord. 

These mothers, like countless others, are briefly mentioned, sometimes nameless. Unknown to most, perhaps. We may feel like that at times. We may feel like our work, our prayers and our efforts will not amount to much or matter. Our behind the scenes work may be invisible to most, maybe unappreciated at the moment or even for years. But dearest mother, if you are a believer in our Lord Jesus Christ, your effort is seen. Not only that, but your work will be rewarded. 

Spurgeon also wrote in one of his sermons, “There was once a boy- a very sinful child- who hearkened not the counsel of his parents. But his mother prayed for him, and now he stands to preach to this congregation every Sabbath. And when his mother thinks of her firstborn preaching the gospel, she reaps a glorious harvest that makes her a glad mother.”

 So, do not get weary or discouraged, for “He is faithful that promised” (Heb. 10:23) and “faithful is He that calls you, who also will do it”(1 Thess. 5:24). So keep working, praying,  teaching, trusting and surrendering to the Lord, “for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9)

The Lord be with you,  Bianca