A Tribute to the Incredible Power of Motherhood
By Dennis Lynn

Since President Wilson made the official announcement in 1914, the second Sunday of May has been celebrated as Mother’s Day. It is the day that we are encouraged to pay tribute to our mothers. While our mothers are the focal point of the celebration, card shops, restaurants, department stores and other businesses that cater to the holiday are also beneficiaries of this much deserved holiday.

Despite all the attention, there is not enough thought given to the real impact that a mother can have on her child’s life. A great Biblical example of a mother’s impact can be found in Lois and Eunice, the grandmother and mother of the young pastor Timothy. While they were raising young Timothy, it is doubtful that they thought that their efforts would result in a young man who would be remembered for centuries to come. They just did the right things at the moment.
Paul gave them credit for the influence they had had on Timothy’s young life. He wrote, “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well” (II Timothy 1:5 NASB). If we look at all the places that Timothy is mentioned in Scripture, we would come up with words like respected, compassionate, unselfish, encouraging, and faithful to describe him. These qualities did not develop in a vacuum. The seeds from which they grew were planted by Lois and Eunice as they related the old Bible stories to him from their knee.

In II Timothy 3:14,15 Paul writes,“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (NASB). Here Paul is clearly crediting Lois and Eunice for instructing Timothy in the things of God during his childhood.

Little did they or the mothers who have followed them realize the lasting impact their faithfulness would have on history. Over and over you hear great men and women who relate back to their childhood and credit their mothers for being a key ingredient in their success. Billy Graham is a modern day example of this. He attributes much of his character development to the teachings of his mother. His mother had no idea the impact her training would have and the number of lives that would be positively affected by her efforts.

There are three words that are essential to understanding the awesome power of mothers. The words are influence; instruction; and impact. Mothers never forget that you are doing all three of these things each day. The question is,” how are you influencing and instructing your children. The answer to that question will help determine the impact that they will have on the generations to come.

Mothers appreciate all the attention but what they appreciate most is a big hug and the simple words, “I love you and appreciate all you do for me.”