A Salute To Mothers

May 12

Today is Mothers' Day in the United States. Ir is a day that is set aside to honor mothers and to recognize the role they play in shaping the lives of their children, and therefore the enormous impact they have upon the future. As William Ross Wallace stated, "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." It is mothers who shape the world views of their children--for good or for ill.

May we extend to our mothers the respect that is their due, for the Word tells us we must honor our parents. Doing so is, "the first commandment with promise," Ephesians 6:2. We who believe in the name of the Christ must not allow ourselves to succumb to the folly of the world systems which, according to II Timothy 3:3 will be, "without natural affection," in the last days. The end of time as we know it will be a period when parents shall be scoffed instead of honored.

We must adhere to the unchanging, immutable truths of eternity, knowing that doing so will further alienate us from people who will be swept into the rising tide of lawlessness that will engulf the world. In an age when man is unloving and unforgiving; when he is slanderous of all that is holy; when he is cruel and disdainful of what is good; when he has no self-control because he is given over to the pursuit of pleasure, it is then that we must hold fast to the truth we know.

It is then we must reaffirm our complete reliance upon the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ who has redeemed us from the world and its lusts. Though we may encounter opposition because of our faith, we must, "know Whom we have believed and be persuaded that he is able to keep that which we've committed to Him," even as He has for believers in generations past at their hour of trial.

Godly mothers all around the world are instrumental in passing the conviction of the Lord's faithfulness to each new generation. May they not falter in their monumental task, for as they rock the cradle, they are instilling eternal truth into the minds and hearts of their children. May they have power in their prayers in the behalf of their children so their offspring will be strong in mind, body and especially in spirit.

Women of the world who nurture the young in the wisdom and admonition of the Lord are of incalculable worth, and we honor them every day, but today, we salute them.