God has given every mother a noble calling and a vital role in the lives of their children. I’ve heard numerous testimonies of wayward and rebellious children whose godly, praying mothers were instrumental in their coming to Christ. So many mothers have done an excellent job at making disciples by the influence upon the lives of their children. The Bible likens making disciples to the parental role of a mother. Paul, the Apostle, described his ministry to the Thessalonians as such: “But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us”(1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 NASB).

Making disciples is an expression of love for the people you are leading. It is about imparting love and truth not merely through your lips but through your life. It is great to impart the gospel into peoples lives because they may believe and find eternal life through believing (John 20:31). Yet it is an even greater expression of love to impart and invest your very own life, like a mother who sacrificially gives her time, energy, love and affection to her children.

Motherhood is no easy job! Making babies may be easy but having them and raising them is a major commitment and investment. Waking up at various hours of the night to a crying baby who is hungry is not convenient. Changing dirty diapers and cleaning up blow outs while being away from home or in the process of leaving the house for an event is not pleasant. Picking up toiletries dumped out on the bathroom floor and trying to get tasks done around the house with fussy children is difficult. Caring for and comforting sick children, while feeling helpless to make them better is a tough trial. Though the task motherhood & making disciples is hard work that requires faithfulness and sacrifice the joys are great. The Apostle John wrote “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4 ESV). This is the great joy mothers and disciple makers experience.

My respect for mothers and the role of motherhood has significantly gone up since my wife and I have had children. The sacrificial service that my wife gives to our children has displayed a glorious reflection of the love of God. I am greatly honored and delighted to have such a godly wife who lovingly nurtures and cares for her children, seeking to raise them up in the ways of God.
I am also so thankful for my own mother who is a joyful follower of Christ. I have seen my mom sacrificially serve others in the name of Christ. She boldly reaches out to people with the gospel and loves to encourage other believers. God has so blessed my life through my own mother. I wouldn’t be who I am today without the sacrificial investment that my mother has put into my life. With Mother’s Day approaching this Sunday let each of us recognize and reflect upon the grace that has been imparted into our lives through our mothers.

Let’s honor our mothers for their God-given role and give thanks to God for the good and perfect gift of motherhood.