Thanks Mom…

Kipp Campbell

Mother’s Day, a day in which children in this country pause to say thanks to their mother for all she’s done in their lives. It is a time to remember the love that has been shown, the care and the material blessings that were exhibited daily. In my humble opinion, Christians who were raised in godly homes owe their mothers an extra special thank you.

I can remember many lessons my mom taught me. Lessons such as being kind to others who are less fortunate than myself, to be humble and allow someone else to “toot my horn,” and others I will spare you from reading. I might add all those things are biblically based. However, there was another lesson I learned from her that supercedes the ones mentioned above. The lesson of which I speak was to love God and His word. It was a lesson that was impressed upon me from an early age. There were many nights she made sure my Bible Class lessons were done. However, it wasn’t that she told me how important loving God and His word were, but rather she showed it by her own desire in studying or preparing her class lessons. It was easy for me to see the importance that serving Lord should have in my life. I bring all this up to make the point that mothers play a very important role in the lives of their children (we’ll talk about fathers in a few weeks). Note with me two examples of mothers who had the same kind of desires mine possessed.

In the Old Testament we read of Samuel’s mother Hannah. As we begin reading in I Samuel chapter one we find out that Hannah was barren (v 2,6) and incapable of having children. She then makes a deal of sorts with the Lord. If He would bless her with a son, she would in turn give him back to the Lord for His service ( v 11). We find out later God remembered Hannah’s request and blessed her with a son (1:19-20) because of her great faith in God. She, in turn, kept her word and gave Samuel to the Lord. Samuel became a great leader in Israel all because his mother saw to his spiritual training.

In the New Testament we have the examples of Timothy’s mother and grandmother. In 2 Timothy 1:5 Paul said, “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.” Timothy was obviously raised in a home where only the mother was a Christian (Acts 16:1). She didn’t back down from what she recognized her responsibilities to be. Even without the help of Timothy’s father, she made it a point to raise Timothy by the scriptures from his youth (2 Tim. 3:14-15). We note she did not wait until he was “old enough to understand” or until he became a teenager. Rather, she started when he was just a little boy. As a result Timothy became a great gospel preacher and played an integral part in establishing and solidifying many congregations of the Lord’s people.

In these two examples we see mothers who recognized the importance of their children being brought up in the ways of the Lord (Prov. 22:6). For these two women, Timothy’s mother in particular, they were left on their own to see to their child’s spiritual training. It probably was not easy for them to do this on their own. I know we have some here at Clarksville who are in this very situation and at times it may seem as if your work goes unnoticed. Let me say however, there is One who watches and knows what you’ve done. One who will reward you for your diligent efforts.

May God bless all godly mothers who are concerned with the spiritual well being of their children. Let us also, as their children, give thanks to them for all they’ve done in our lives. However, let us not give thanks only today, but each and every day. Thanks Mom!