“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30)

“And on the 6th day, God looked down on Adam in his planned paradise and said, ‘I need a nurturer.’ So God made a mother. God said, ‘I need someone who feels deeply and loves fiercely, whose tears flow just as abundantly as their laughter, whose heart is as warm as their ability to guide and set limits is strong. I need someone whose influence on those that they nurture is eternal.’ So God made a mother.” While I am not exactly sure who wrote these words, they are said to have been inspired by the late radio commentator Paul Harvey. The contribution of mothers has not dwindled in importance over time and is never needed more than today. A good mother sets the standard for the lives she touches. The wisdom that she shares is often beyond her years and no doubt enriched by generations of mothers before her.

While distance often separates mothers and her children, they are often grateful for those who pick up the slack for their inability to do so at the time. I was recently hugged by the out-of-town daughter of a lady I have assisted on various occasions. I have been blessed to be able to do small acts of kindness for her, recognizing that if it was my own mother – I would be grateful for others doing so. Over a century ago, a poet by the name of Mary Dow Brine wrote several verses about a young boy who was going home from school on a wintry day while having a good time with his buddies.  They passed a woman “old and gray” who seemed a bit timid about crossing the busy street. When one of the boys paused and offered to assist, “her aged hand on his strong young arm she placed” as he guided her safely to the other side with a happy feeling of satisfaction about having done so. He reflects:

‘She’s somebody’s mother, boys, you know, For all she’s aged, and poor and slow;
And some one, some time, may lend a hand to help my mother- you understand?
If ever she’s old and poor and gray, And her own dear boy so far away.’

Although I first heard this entire poem in my childhood, its words continue to have relevance even today.

Jesus offered us an example of providing for His mother while He was dying on the cross. “When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home” (John 19:26-27). His mother was most likely so consumed with His suffering that she didn’t think of what would become of her. But one of His last earthly concerns was to ask His beloved friend John to take care of her and regard her as his own. John must have felt privileged by this request. No different was the honor paid to Naomi by her daughter-in-law Ruth centuries before. When Ruth’s husband died, Naomi encouraged that she return to the home of her own mother.  Feeling an obligation to remain with and provide for Naomi, “Ruth replied, ‘Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God’” (Ruth 1:16). As a result, Ruth’s loyalty enabled her to remarry and give birth to a son who became grandfather to King David. Likewise Naomi had a direct hand in the raising of the child, imparting her faith and good character into the next generation from whose lineage Jesus would be born.

Abraham Lincoln said, “All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” Our mother is that female presence who has nurtured us and has been there to comfort us through the difficult times of life. While her role will evolve over time –  the love, care, and encouragement that she shares will never cease. Even when she physically departs from this life, her influence continues to be part of who you are and always will be.  Jesus would ask that we serve those have made such an impact on our world. For when we see a lady who seems to be struggling, our arm should be extended to assist.  For, in all likelihood – she may have been blessed by God to be somebody’s mother.

REFLECTION: In what ways might you draw from the examples of Jesus and Ruth with regard to their loyalty to the mother figures? How can you encourage better respect for mothers of all generations?

To read the poem “Somebody’s Mother” – go to  https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/somebody-s-mother-2/

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., MAY 20, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.