I have been blessed throughout my life to be surrounded by good mothers. On this special
day when we honor mothers and motherhood, I can’t help but think about the many godly mothers
who have touched my life, especially my own mother. As I think about it, I have been gradually
learning what a godly mother is from three intersecting sources or streams throughout my life:
First, I have seen godly motherhood demonstrated in the life of my own mother. My
mother was raised by faithful Christian parents. She obeyed the gospel at a young age, and has
been a faithful Christian ever since. I never knew my mom to live an unfaithful or ungodly lifestyle.
She has always been a solid rock for me spiritually. As early as I can remember, my mom was
always there for me and my sisters. She decided early that she would not pursue a career outside
of the home, and I remember mom always being there for us children when we would get home
from school. She made home a place of security and love—a place to which I always wanted to
return. This would later help me make our home that way too.
When my mom married my dad, neither had money for a large wedding. They were married
in the preacher’s office in Arlington, VA and their first home was a 45-foot trailer in Woodbridge,
VA. There was no congregation in Woodbridge at that time, so they helped start one. The first
service was in our house. My mom taught children’s Bible classes continuously for many years
without a break. She taught me the importance of Bible study, and gently encouraged me to preach.
One way she did this was by smiling when I would verbalize thoughts in that direction. I never
remember her pressuring me to preach, but she would let me know how proud she was of even my
earliest preaching efforts 50 years ago.
I remember mom always making sure I was clean, and neatly dressed for school. Sometimes
even as a young man she would take me to a clothing store, and she never “skimped” on buying
clothing for me. She taught me the importance of money, and always encouraged me to have a
savings account. I remember her going with me to a bank to show me how to set up my first IRA.
As a younger man, she helped me with my taxes, and in the process she taught me the importance
of honesty and hard work. I could go on and on about how blessed I am because my mother
demonstrated godly motherhood.
Second, I have benefited from the description of mothers in God’s word. From the first
woman, Eve, whose name means “mother of all living,” the Bible honors motherhood. Sarah, the
“mother of nations,” is described as beloved and blessed by God, who gave her a son in her old
age. Samuel did a great work for God because his mother devoted him to the Lord. Godly mothers
are described in Proverbs as optimistic, wise, and intricately involved in the lives of their families,
(cf. Prov. 31:15, 21, 25, 27-28). God described an honorable mother, Mary, through the birth and
early rearing of our Lord, (Lk. 1:30-31). Godly mothers are gentle and caring, cherishing their own
children, (1 Thess. 2:7). They are reverent in their behavior, teachers of good, mentoring young
women to love their husbands and children, sensible, morally pure, working at home, kind and
submissive to their own husbands, (Titus 2:3-5).
Third, I have been immeasurably blessed by the depiction of motherhood by so many
ladies in the church down through the years. Where would I start to describe them all? I think of
mothers faithfully bringing their children to church from the time they were born, and patiently
tending them in the auditorium during worship services. I can still see faithful mothers lovingly
disciplining and training their children in the church buildings.
Happy Mother’s Day to all our godly moms out there! Thank you for showing us how it’s
done. Please keep it up!
– by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
