Page 23 - January 2026 - Truth & Tidings

the fact that his salvation and spiritual pation as a housewife with the invaluable
progress were due to the influence of career as a mother.” This brief exchange
two godly mothers (2Ti 1:5; 3:15). In his highlighted the fact that we dwell in soci-
Gospel record, Luke clearly identifies that eties which have lost appreciation of this
our Lord’s custom of weekly synagogue biblical and God-ordained occupation,
attendance in Nazareth was linked to further proof that humanity has been will-
His upbringing (4:16). As a babe, Mary ing to exchange truth for lies (Rom 1:25).
took our Lord Jesus up to the temple to Although the world undervalues this
present Him to the Lord (2:22). Further, divine profession, we unashamedly state
it was clearly the practice of Joseph and that motherhood is an exceedingly sig-
Mary to take their family to the annual nificant work, one of the most important
feast of Passover (2:41-42). We observe roles a woman can ever undertake. The
that by this time it was highly likely that name given to the first woman gracing
Mary had at least seven children (Mat planet earth meant “the mother of all
13:55-56). It would have been no mean living” (Gen 3:20), and in the Garden
feat to organise such a tribe, ensuring of Eden were established principles by
they had sufficient clothes, food, blankets God that have never been revoked. The
and other necessities for the long trek. primary role given to Eve as a wife and
Mothers, be encouraged as you raise your mother was highlighted by the fact that
children for God. Take time to daily com- her rebuke by God in the matter of sin
mit Scripture to their memory. Take your was firmly in the context of the womb
children to meetings and don’t become and the family, not the workplace and the
disheartened even if you have to spend field as for Adam (Gen 3:16-20). The New
time in the mother’s room with a crying
baby. Remember, the Lord is uniquely in Testament upholds such truth, exhorting
that place, and consider the tremendous older sisters to teach younger mothers to
fact that from the youngest possible age, comprehend their fundamental responsi-
your children are being trained to revere bility to develop loving affection toward
the gatherings of God’s people. The their husband and maternal care for their
Psalmist noted that such children will be children. As homemakers, they are to cre-
as arrows in the hand of a mighty man; ate an environment that is safe (“discreet”
happy is the man (and the assembly) that KJV), unpolluted by the world, where
has his quiver full of them (Psa 127:4-5). their appreciation of God-given headship
is beautifully modelled in subjection to
The Worth of Motherhood their own husband. It’s when these things
“Does your wife work?” the tele- are on full display that folk have no foot-
marketing caller asked during a recent hold to malign God’s Word, but rather
conversation. “Yes,” I responded. “And that “they may see your good works, and
her occupation?” he asked. “A housewife glorify your Father which is in heaven”
and mother,” I replied. There was a brief (Titus 2:3-5; Mat 5:16).
pause before the caller continued, “But As Christians we honour “elder women
you mentioned she worked … had a job as mothers,” holding in high esteem
… a career?” The individual was clearly those who are “well reported of for good
confused. “Yes,” I confirmed, “she works works,” who have brought up children,
exceedingly hard in the inestimable occu- lodged strangers, washed the saints'
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