A WOMAN AND A MOTHER – AN EMBODIMENT OF LOVE, GRACE AND SACRIFICE

The woman and a mother is special, and no one can replace her place. Such is the purpose and the position that God created for the woman and the mother. A mother’s role and responsibilities are designed exclusively for a woman. A father, in the absence of a mother, can be a good replacement, but can never ever be the same as a mother. Another woman can be accepted as the mother, but even she cannot replace the position and the place of our own mothers. Such is the significance of a mother in the life of a child.

A daughter, a wife, a mother, a mother-in-law and a grandmother are the different dimensions of the role that a woman is called to play. She is, if I may use the word, custom designed and purpose built by God almighty. The place a woman is designed to hold by her Creator, is not only unique, but also irreplaceable. 

A father’s love and affection for a daughter, in a general sense, is different from the same towards a son. It speaks of the place that a daughter holds in the heart of a father. The role and the responsibility a woman plays – as a wife and the mother – in the growth of her family is impressive and irreplaceable. The rise and fall of many a family depends much on the strength and the character of the woman in the family. Such is the preeminent place of the woman in the family.

The woman that the LORD created, and the woman about whom the Bible talks about, is not the same as what the world talks about. Sadly what the world talks about a woman, her role and her significance, in my opinion is not even a poor shadow of what she was intended to be by her Creator. The world wants the modern woman to be self-centred, to think and fight for her rights, her freedom, her growth, her development, as though she is not a part of the family, but merely a partner in some kind of a contract called marriage. This is not what God wanted the woman, who is the wife, the mother and the important contributor for the growth and the development of her family. Yes, there are problems that a woman encounters – that is a different story – which needs our attention and efforts to rectify it.

A woman, can be seen in all her grandeur in the role of a mother. A MOTHER is AN EMBODIMENT OF LOVE, GRACE AND SACRIFICE is how I see a woman. 
– Only a mother can LOVE a child unconditionally and accept the child as he or she is. This reflects her true character.
– Only a mother can be so GRACEFUL in her words and deeds, that no man can ever come close. This reflects her unique gifting.
– SACRIFICE is the foundation on which a woman builds her house. She, willing and joyfully would sacrifice herself and her rights for the benefit and the blessing of jer family. This reflects her heart, which is seen in God.

What the world is trying to project is something very different. Instead of building the families, the concept of woman, and the role that is envisaged for her by the world is, destructive to the very concept of a biblical woman, and the motherhood. Sadly we see it in the disruptions and destructions of the society. Man’s guilt and his contribution for the destruction is obvious and serious – unquestionably.

A WOMAN OF CHARACTER is the need of the hour. We need strong women. Women of character, intelligence and courage. Sadly, many assume that being a women of character, intelligence and courage means to be rude, rash, proud and arrogant, and self-centred. Sadly such an assumption is worlds apart from someone who truly is, a biblical woman of character, intelligence and courage. 

Let us read Proverbs 31:10-31 to get an accurate image of such a woman.
– “10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.  12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” – Proverbs 31:10-31

Today is my mother’s birthday, and I am ever so grateful to God her her life. She is no more, but her life still speaks. Let us honour all godly women and mothers for their LOVE, GRACE and SACRIFICE. Their contribution for the family is immeasurable and invaluable. Let us cherish and champion for such women. May we have many godly women and mothers. Even so, the LORD help us.