Being a mother is a very important role that the Lord chooses to give to many women. A Christian mother is told to love her children (Titus 2:4-5), in part so that she does not bring reproach on the Lord and on the Savior whose name she bears.

Children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5). You may hear people say, “Children don’t come with an instruction manual.” That is incorrect. Certain things are expected of parents, and therefore mothers, and they are identified in God’s word:

• Faith – an example of faith (II Timothy 1:5)

• Availability and Involvement– morning, noon, and night (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

• Teaching – the Scriptures (Proverbs 31:1; Deuteronomy 4:10)

• Training – helping a child to develop skills and discover his/her strengths (Proverbs 22:6)

Discipline – teaching the fear of the Lord, drawing the line consistently, lovingly, firmly (Proverbs 1:8)

Affection – providing an environment of love and support (Titus 2:4)

The Bible never states that every woman should be a mother. However, it does say that those whom the Lord blesses to be mothers should take the responsibility seriously. Mothers have a unique and crucial role in the lives of their children. Motherhood is not a chore or unpleasant task. Just as a mother bears a child during pregnancy, and just as a mother feeds and cares for a child during infancy, so mothers also play an ongoing role in the lives of their children, whether they are adolescents, teenagers, young adults, or even adults with children of their own. While the role of motherhood must change and develop, the love, care, nurture, and encouragement a mother gives should never cease.