THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MOTHERS

It is heartwarming to celebrate all mothers across the world today.  We congratulate all of them and pray that God will continue to uphold and strengthen them.  They will not labour in vain and they will also live to eat the fruit of their labour and it will be well with them.  We must remember the various categories of mothers that there are.  We have Biological mothers, Godmothers, Stepmothers, Grandmothers, Schoolmothers, etc.  There are people who may not necessarily be our biologicalmothers and they may not even be our blood relations but they are mother-figure.

In the Church, we have Bishops’wives, Clergywives, and a number of female Parishioners who are mothers in diverse ways.  We appreciate all of them and pray that they will continue to be valuable and relevant in Jesus’ name.

Mothering Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent. Although it’s often called Mothers’ Day: it has no connection with the American festival of that name. Traditionally, it was a day when children, mainly daughter, who had gone to work as domestic servants were given a day off to visit their mother and family.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MOTHERS

Mothers are very precious and indispensable in the life of every individual.  Mothers carry their children in the womb for about nine months with all the associated pregnancy sickness.  The day of child-labour and child-delivery is a very crucial day that many women have not survived.  They go through the excruciating pains of child-labour and delivery.  Many undergo Caesarean Section and sometimes some don’t survive it. Even for those who adopt children, the experience of child-upbringing is the same.

Mothers have one of the most influential and important jobs in the world…and one of the most difficult.  Just consider some of the duties a mother carries out on a daily basis.

Chef : A mother cooks 2-3 meals a day. Sometimes, their children will love the meals you prepare. Sometimes, they will hate them. Most of the time, they simply wolf down the food you prepare and run to their next activity. Occasionally you will receive the cherished “thank you.” Hearing those two words will make every meal you prepared worthwhile.

Housekeeper : As a mother you will have the opportunity to clean all kinds of messes-clothes left on the floor, cups left in the living room, spilled food, dirty diapers, vomit, the list goes on.  But, one day your child may help clean the kitchen and…. well, here’s for wishful thinking.

Resolve Conflicts : Children have conflict with friends, siblings, and even their parents.  You will have the joy of helping your children learn the skills of listening, negotiation, compromise, and problem-solving, skills that will benefit them for a lifetime.

Event Planner : Mothers’ schedule.  What else can I say ? From play dates to doctor’s appointments to school events to after school activities to vacations to any number of other events, mothers’ schedule…a lot!

Teacher : Mothers teach their children everything…and I mean everything.  When cooking they not only teach their children how to cook, but some basic maths.  They teach their children how to think! Mothers teach these things without even knowing they do it.  Then there are all the things they teach on purpose…things like maths, reading, how to clean, how to do laundry, how to keep house, etc.

Chauffeur : Mothers take their children to school, the doctor, and the dentist.  They take their children to sporting activities, dance, gymnastics, and music lessons.They drive their children to play dates and to the store.  And, they turn each drive into an opportunity to talk, grow closer, and learn.

Laundry : Mothers do laundry. They get out the stains and keep the bright colors.  Life needs a clean start!

Counsellor : Children come to their mothers when they fail a test and when their heart is broken.  Mothers comfort and advise.  They kiss skinned knees and mend broken hearts. They heal broken spirits and teach children how to shape a joyous future.

Finance Manager : Mothers often help to manage the finances, teaching their children to do so as well.  Balance the costs of groceries, school activities, and clothes as well as the utilities and other household expenses.

Health Care Provider : As previously noted, mother’s kiss skinned knees. They also check their children’s fever, cook them chicken noodle soup, make them comfortable, and may other “doctoring” duties.  In the long run, mothers probably do much more than your average physician and for a lot less pay!

Activities Director : When children are bored, mothers come up with ideas.  They encourage their children to play.  They teach their children nursery rhymes, games, and fun activities like cooking.  In so doing, they teach their children how to manage their time in productive, effective ways.

World Changer : Perhaps the most underrated task a mother fulfils is that of world-changer.  Society is mere 20 years from anarchy or continued civilization.  It takes 20 years to raise a child, 20 years to “civilize them” or let them fall into anarchy, 20 years to raise children of character, integrity, and compassion or children of deceit, selfishness, and indifference.  A mother plays a great role in this training.  Mothers change the world with every child they raise.

Let’s all send out a big “thank you” to all our Moms, the real life impactors… the world changers of our society.