Some people struggle with Mother’s Day. Yet, it is important to honor your parents. God made it clear in Ephesians 6:2 that you are to “Honor your father and mother.” The command that the Apostle Paul referenced in Ephesians goes all the way back to the Old Covenant Law (Exodus 20:12). It may be argued that the principle of honoring your parents goes back even further to the Garden in Genesis 2. Adam and Eve were to honor God as their Father by obeying what He commanded them to do. Sadly, we know that they failed in honoring Him and were subsequently expelled from the Garden to fend for themselves in a sin-stained world.
Shortly thereafter, Adam and Eve became parents. Cain was born first, then Abel. As the “first parents” they apparently struggled with raising their sons. Perhaps as the first-born Cain had some insecurities with having a capable younger brother. Culminating in jealousy and murder, Cain kills his brother Abel (Genesis 4).
This is a tragedy beyond tragedy. How Eve must have dealt with the heartache of the death of Abel and the loss of Cain we cannot know. I have known mothers who, for one reason or another, have lived beyond their children. I have seen the anguish in their eyes. I have heard their pain expressed. It is difficult to be a mother. It is difficult to love, not knowing if your love will be reciprocated. It is difficult to sacrifice, not knowing if your sacrifice will benefit the ones you gave of yourself.
Eve found solace in God’s blessing of another son, Seth. Seth’s name means appointed or placed. It is noteworthy that Eve recognizes that God is the One who blessed her with another child. Later, Solomon writes in Psalm 127:3 to “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” While it is true that children are a blessing from God, it is also true that there are blessings to not having children.
Many women have not been mothers. Some women, either by choice, remaining single, physical limitations, or some other reason, never had a child. Not having children might cause some women, like Rachel in Genesis 30:1, to cry out “Give me children, or else I die.” Then again, The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 7:8 that there is nothing wrong with being single. By implication this means that there is nothing wrong in not having children.
There is much to be said for the woman who remains single or the woman who does not have any children. Such Christian women have more energy and time that she can devote to the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:32). For example, a Christian woman with less family concerns could spend more time studying and sharing God’s Word. She could dedicate more time in service to God and others to the benefit of the Kingdom.
While some may struggle with Mother’s Day, mothers and those who mother are blessed and should be appreciated by those they’ve mothered. It is also true that those who remain single are also blessed in that they can devote more time to serving God.
