Amen!
Many mothers have little understanding of the importance of their role in the family and society. Look at the great men in world history. Think of Moses, Abraham, John the Baptist, and Jesus. We do not know much about their mothers, but if we did, we would find that they loved God and reared their children in a manner consistent with what we read in today's chapter. On the other hand, when we see so many hard-hearted people in the world, do you think in many cases the mother had something to do with their character?
One of the most important truths I have read when it comes to parental responsibility is this statement: "There is a God above, and the light and glory from His throne rests upon the faithful mother as she tries to educate her children to resist the influence of evil. No other work can equal hers in importance. She has not, like the artist, to paint a form of beauty upon canvas; nor, like the sculptor, to chisel it from marble. She has not, like the author, to embody a noble thought in words of power; nor, like the musician, to express a beautiful sentiment in melody. It is hers, with the help of God, to develop in a human soul the likeness of the divine.
The mother who appreciates this will regard her opportunities as priceless. Earnestly will she seek, in her own character and by her methods of training, to present before her children the highest ideal. Earnestly, patiently, courageously, she will endeavor to improve her own abilities, that she may use aright the highest powers of the mind in the training of her children. Earnestly will she inquire at every step, "What hath God spoken?" Diligently she will study His word. She will keep her eyes fixed upon Christ, that her own daily experience, in the lowly round of care and duty, may be a true reflection of the one true Life. Ministry of Healing, pg 378.
I suppose my statement about the importance for parents was a little narrow, for in this truth we read "No other work can equal hers in importance." Some will not understand this to be literal. But, when we look at society, and look at Bible history, we ought to take it just as it reads, for the work of the mother is seen throughout history and in society today.
We often think of the meeting of Stephen and Paul when they reunite. The last Stephen saw of Paul was when "Saul" as he was then known was standing over him as he was stoned. What a meeting this will be, when Stephen finds out the influence of His witness brought countless millions to Christ through the teachings of the Apostle Paul!
But, consider another thought. What shall the mother of Stephen think when she finds out what was the result of her daily toil in rearing her son? What a privilege is the work of the God fearing mother.
Let mothers come to Jesus with their perplexities. They will find grace sufficient to aid them in the management of their children. The gates are open for every mother who would lay her burdens at the Saviour's feet. He who said, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not," still invites the mothers to lead up their little ones to be blessed by Him. Even the babe in its mother's arms may dwell as under the shadow of the Almighty through the faith of the praying mother. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit from his birth. If we will live in communion with God, we too may expect the divine Spirit to mold our little ones, even from their earliest moments.
The is great joy in leading little ones to Christ. To many rearing children is seen as a drudge and often the responsibility is shifted to others. This is not the case when a mother loves Jesus with the whole heart. She then has eyes that can see and ears that can hear. And, in response she turns to Jesus for help in training up her child to be a witness of what Jesus desires we all should be, witnesses of His character.