Three Characteristics of a Good Mother

When the Apostle Paul was in prison in Rome for the second time he wrote his last letter to Timothy. Paul never referred to himself as a prisoner of Rome but of Jesus Christ. He considered his imprisonment the will of God. His attitude reflects the highest maturity. Consequently, we have the second Epistle to Timothy. Paul was executed soon after this letter was written. His attitude was an inspiration to Timothy. He remembers from his damp prison cell, “Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy” (2 Tim 1:4).

Stay Tender Mothers

The Apostle is filled with emotion as he remembers Timothy’s tender heart. This tender heart, no doubt, came from his mother and grandmother, as did his faith. Young Timothy was an introvert and naturally shy, but he had a tender heart and sincere faith.

Stay True to Your Faith Mothers

Paul writes, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also” (2 Tim 1:5). His grandmother and mother were Jews who came to Christ. The possessed “sincere faith.”

Their faith was genuine, and such faith characterized Timothy as well. He had seen faith in them, and that is what brought him to Christ, and his life demonstrated the same authenticity. Timothy’s mother and grandmother had a proven faith. A sincere faith means that it had stood the test of time. It is not easy to come through the storms of life, but for this grandmother and mother—they were anchored to God. You can be sure there had been deaths to endure, problems to resolve, and unanswered questions, but their faith remained.

The effect of mothers and grandmothers is worth noting. A grandmother is in a position to influence her grandsons and granddaughters in unique ways. That influence can impact those grandchildren in ways that will affect them for the rest of their lives, even in ways we may never imagine. Long after we are gone the impact of our faith and legacy continues to inspire our children and grandchildren. My grandmother’s sincere belief had a powerful effect on my father’s life, and his faith greatly impacted my life. I pray my faith has that kind of impact on my family.

Stay Authentic Mothers

Paul writes, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Tim 1:6-7). The soil of Timothy’s life is watered by love and faith. Paul wants Timothy to use his gifts and rely on the Holy Spirit. God was using Paul to fan the flame in Timothy’s life—the flame that had been lit by his grandmother and mother. God will use our lives to fan the flames of our children and grandchildren.

When children are raised in a home where conflict is resolved, self-regulation of emotions is modeled, and they feel accepted and loved, they develop healthy self-esteem and learn healthy relationship patterns that will serve them later in life.

The impact of your life on that little child will remain as they grow up. If you remain true to your faith and don’t allow the hard knocks of life to take away your tenderness then you will fan into flames your child’s gifts. If you exhibit that authenticity that says, “I love Jesus, and I always will, your child will embrace your faith.

Earl Campbell, NFL pro. He went to the University of Texas. When he went to college he got smart and too busy for his old life. He called his mom and wanted to come for some home cooking and bring some buddies. She asked him if he was loving Jesus. He said not now momma. When you return to loving Jesus, you come home and bring those boys.

 

 

 

Thanks Mom

There is just something about how a mother cares for her children that helps a child. Her insight into what the child is going through and her empathy causes the child to flourish. Mothers possess an innate understanding and insight into their child’s emotions and needs, which enables them to provide the right kind of care and support at the right time. You have heard that saying, “Mom has eyes in the back of her head,” well it’s more like x-ray vision. She knows when they feel lonely, rejected, or confused. Her love and willingness to listen is the best antidote that child could receive against those powerful emotions. A mother even helps a father be a better father by showing him what he cannot see on his own. This has been the case with my wife. She has always seen what I could not see and given me opportunities to support my children. My wife has helped to build the respect of my children for me.

There are unique windows that children go through as they enter the world and grow up—and if that mother recognizes those windows, good things happen to that child. She has intuitions that are God given to help her understand and guide that child through difficult times. The mother’s understanding validates the child’s sense of importance. The child thinks, “My mom knows me and loves me.”

Today we thank God for every mother giving of herself to her family. We all are the beneficiaries of her love and care. She has helped to provide us with the opportunities to flourish.

Mothers, we love you! Mothers, you deserve our respect, gratitude, and recognition for your tireless efforts in caring, loving, and serving your families. We don’t recognize you nearly enough, but today we say thanks for caring, loving, and putting your family first.

 

The Maternal Bond

 

God made the bonding that happens between a mother and her child. The impact of that mother-child bonding is incredible. She lovingly meets the child’s needs and soothes and calms the baby in a way no other person can do (ask Dad). During this infant stage, the child learns the mother’s voice and responds to it significantly. This bond that gives security and love becomes the foundation for stable adult life for that child. Her influence is of the utmost importance to the child’s normal and healthy development. Her love accomplishes what no father or any other substitute could do. Research shows that the first few years of a child’s life contribute to the personality, intelligence, and emotional stability of the person’s entire life. The child’s brain develops faster and becomes more active with the maternal interactions, causing the child’s personality to blossom. The children who are denied this incredible experience suffer adverse effects throughout their life.

You mothers shape the child before he or she ever sits under a teacher. You are there when the child needs you the most. When those little children need answers to the fundamental questions of life, they naturally go to you. God meant it to be that way. You are the one that sets the tone for that home when the children are young and impressionable like soft clay. When the kids are down or facing a problem, you are the one they pour out their hearts. It’s a mother’s love that encourages each child to be who they were meant to be.

I realize that my love for people, my boldness, and my desire to help people came from my mother. She may have had her imperfections, but loving her family and putting them first wasn’t one of them. She was compassionate with her family and to others.

My mother also knew when to let her kids go and encourage them to follow their dreams. When I was seventeen, my mother took me to catch a bus bound for Los Angeles, California, where I would leave for Guyana, South America, for two months. As the bus pulled away, I could see her in the car fighting her tears. That two months changed my life, and I am grateful for a mother who let me go and prayed for God’s will in my life.

My mother is now with Jesus, but her legacy lives in my life and my children. I am thankful to God for a wonderful mother and that my wife has been that same kind of mother to our children. If we ever needed mothers, it is today. Your role in our society and our culture is essential.

  (Parenting with a Long View) https://bovdbrooks.com/

The Influence of a Mother

When I was just a boy around 8 years of age, I noticed that my mom’s potato peeler was broken. Her birthday was coming up, and I decided to buy her a new one. We lived about a mile and a half from the nearest store, so I rode my bike on a mission and bought the peeler. When I was returning, the peeler slipped out of my hand and caught in the spokes of the front wheel, throwing me off the bike and skinning me up. I came home a little banged up, but I had a birthday gift for my mom. Even though the package was chewed up by the spokes and the peeler was a little bent, it still worked. My mother was grateful for the gift and moved to tears. She kept that potato peeler for years. Years later she would say that is the potato peeler you bought and paid for with your own blood.

Most of us don’t realize the sacrifice and commitment of our mothers until we have children of our own. Not until we start making some of those same sacrifices do we see what she really gave to us. The influence of a loving and godly mother on her children is powerful. God gave the mother a special place to nurture and guide her children in those very early years, which builds a foundation for life.

My mother was born in Lula, Oklahoma on October 2, 1929. Her mother died when she was still very little and extended family stepped in to help raise her and her sister until her father remarried a few years later. While still just a teenager, her family moved to California in search of a better life. My maternal grandpa never found that good life in the Golden State, but my mother did. She was just 17 when she married my father who was 24, and they began their life together. Their education was incomplete, having only completed the eighth grade and the fifth grade, respectively. My father had, however, just come home from several years of combat in World War II. They became dairy farmers and later entrepreneurs in business. They brought three children into this world, and she was a devoted mother to all three of them.

As I look back over her influence in my life, it is apparent to me in how many ways she influenced me. She was tender-hearted and was an encourager. In many ways she prepared my life for what God wanted to do with me. A mother’s affirmation to a child is so powerful, preparing them for their future life. I am very grateful to God for the mother he gave me.

A Mother’s Legacy

God made the bonding that happens between a mother and her child. The impact of that mother-child bonding is absolutely incredible. She lovingly meets the needs of the child and soothes and calms the baby in a way no other person can do (just ask dad). During this infant stage the child learns the mother’s voice and responds to it in significant ways. This bond that gives security and love becomes the foundation for stable adult life for that child. The children who are denied this incredible experience suffer any number of adverse effects throughout their life. Even the child’s brain develops at a faster rate and becomes more active with the maternal interactions of bonding. The personality of the child becomes more defined and blossoms. Mothers, you are indispensable.

This was my first Mother’s Day to not have my mother since she passed away last year. I realize that I have many traits from my father, such as his emphasis on responsibility, industry, faithfulness and a host of other admirable characteristics. However, my love for people and my boldness and desire to help people came from my mother. She certainly had her imperfections, but loving her family and putting them first wasn’t one of them.

My mother also knew when to let her kids go and encourage them to follow their own dreams. I remember when I was seventeen, my mother had taken to me to catch a Greyhound bus bound for Los Angeles, California and eventually on to Guyana, South America for two months. As the bus pulled away, I could see her in the car fighting her tears. That two months changed my life, and I am grateful for a mother who let me go and prayed for God’s will in my life.

My mother is now with Jesus, but her legacy lives on in my life and in my children. I am thankful to God for a wonderful mother and that my wife has been that same kind of mother to our children. If we ever needed mothers in this country, it is today. Your role in our society and in our culture is essential. You are wanted; you are needed, and we love you.