In Paul’s letter in 2 Timothy 1:5 he writes, “I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.”
Paul recognized the importance of women in passing faith on to loved ones. Many times I’ve read testimonies by music stars and others who say their mother or grandmother prayed for them until they were saved.
Mothers have a gift for nest building—creating warm, safe places for children. They work hard at growing children who can take on the world. I believe God created mothers to illustrate God’s love—unconditional with discipline.
However, sometimes this imperfect world gets us mothers off track. We get caught up in thinking our children are a reflection of our personhood. So we correct when we should just love on them; we demand perfection from imperfect little souls who are still trying to figure out why they have to do something our way! We get wrapped up in how others around us perceive our parenting skills. Or we get wrapped up in meeting needs and desires we deem necessary for our own survival.
If we weren't shown love, or didn’t have a life of faith demonstrated to us as children, we might not know how to pass love and faith on to our own children.
I remember the physical and emotional fatigue when my children were young. When we get worn out and tense, it can be easy to forget the blessings of being parents. We may forget we are valued children of God also.
“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them” (Psalm 127:2-5 KJV).
Perhaps we can paraphrase this verse for mothers: Lo, children are an inheritance from the Lord, the fruit of our wombs. As arrows are in the hand of a hunter, so are diapers, rocking chairs, and prayers in the life of a young mother. Happy is the mother whose nursery is full of clean diapers, whose arms hold a sleeping child, and who knows how to pray.