“[She] is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds” (1 Timothy 5:10).
Examples of outstanding mothers are plentiful throughout the Bible. The apostle Paul itemized the good deeds that are attributed to righteous women and the first thing on his list is bringing up children!
Motherhood is an important career. Women who raise children largely determine what the world will be like in the future. Many psychologists think children form their first concept of God’s love from what they experience with their mother. Consciously or unconsciously, men often look for a woman like their mother to marry. Adults who love to study and learn often trace their love of books back to the times their mothers read stories to them.
Not all mothers can afford to stay home and care for their children full-time and not all mothers want to. But if women choose to do this, let’s honor them for it. We shouldn’t look down on them as less successful than women who have careers or work full-time.
At the same time, mothers who choose to stay home full- time should not use this as an excuse to be lazy. They should work on their homemaking skills just like they would continue to improve their job efficiency if they were working outside the home. They should think about more efficient ways to get the housework done, try new recipes, learn about nutrition and read about health.
Learning new things and getting better at their job of mothering keeps moms who stay at home both effective and happy.
Kimberly Snider is a missionary to the Philippines.
From “Moments for Moms,” a free email subscription.
Copyright (c) 2005 Women’s Ministries of the Assemblies of God.
http://www.ag.org/womensministries