Last year I wrote two very different articles about mothers.  One was very positive(Moms 8/31/24); the other very negative(Nurture and Admonition of the Lord 9/13/24).  And since most fall somewhere in between the two extremes, I thought it might be nice to address the majority of mothers.

The Ups

Most moms, even the bad ones, usually do some degree of good in the lives of their children.  And although it can be easy to focus on the negative, let’s focus on the positive first.  Moms care about their children.  They provide comfort to their children(Isa. 66:13).  They teach them right and wrong(Deut. 6:6-7; II Tim. 1:5).  They attempt to take care of their needs, even if these needs are not entirely met, there is usually at least attempt to fulfill the needs of their children, however misguided those efforts might actually be at times.  But the simple fact of the matter is that they are trying.  We need to be careful when looking down on what some mom is doing.  We don’t know what led to it.  We don’t know the recent or even long-term history that may be affecting the child and/or the mom.

Moms are sacrificial.  They give up so much for their children.  Dads do, too, but this is about moms.  Sorry, dads.  Moms give up time transporting kids to school and other activities.  They arrange doctor and dentist appointments to try to keep their kids healthy.  They take them to friends.  They encourage them to make new friends.  Moms use their time to do things for their kids that take away time that could be spent on themselves.

The Downs

Moms are not perfect; they are flawed people just like the rest of us.  They fail at times.  Sometimes it is an unnecessary outburst that the child did not deserve, or maybe it wasn’t even something that should have been directed toward the child in the first place.  Sometimes they ignore the needs of their children, intentionally or otherwise.  Sometimes they do private things they don’t think their children will ever find out, but the kids do find out.  The flaws and failings are almost limitless in terms of variety.  I will never attempt to diminish anyone’s flaws or failings.  They need to be addressed, but we need to be as respectful as possible.

In The End

In the end, none of us is all good, and none of us is all bad.  Even the worst people known to history had some positive traits or actions during the course of their lives.  Moms are no different in that regard.  However, moms are in a very influential place in the life of another human being . . . their child.  A mom might just be the most influential person in any person’s life.  And that says A LOT.  It is an awesome responsibility.  It is an incredible honor.  Let’s help them.  Let’s support them.  Let’s listen to them.   No, really listen to them.  Not just the polite kind of listening, but the “you have all of my attention” listening.  If you want them to be better moms, and shouldn’t we want that for any child, then we can help.  I’m not suggesting forcing your “expertise” on anyone, but rather listening, then asking how you can help.  And make sure they know you’re seriously offering to help, not just trying to “be nice.”  We can make a difference.  You can make a difference . . . in a mom’s life . . . in a child’s life.