Growing up, was your mother warm, loving and available? Or was she distant, harsh and unkind?
Whether for good or for bad, it’s difficult to overestimate the impact our mothers have had on us.
Your mother’s views on the world likely shaped how you see yourself, the world around you and your place within it. Perhaps she taught you to work hard, to give generously to those in need, to always give others the benefit of the doubt or to practice self-care.
Personally, my mother taught me to delight in God’s Word, to follow God’s will even when it isn’t easy, to take care of my physical health through exercise and to never give up hope no matter how bleak the situation may appear.
With Mother’s Day coming up soon, you may be wondering, “What Does the Bible Say About Mothers?” In this article, we’ll examine the important role God intended mothers to have–and not just on Mother’s Day!
What Does the Bible Say About Mother’s Day?
The Bible never mentions Mother’s Day as the holiday wasn’t yet invented when the Bible was written.
According to History.com, “The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914.” Scripture doesn’t mention Mother’s Day specifically, but the Bible has a lot to say about mothers.
Related: 6 Reasons Not to Celebrate Mother’s Day in Worship Services
What Does the Bible Say About Mothers?
While the Bible contains many verses that say children are a blessing, a good, godly mother is a blessing from God as well.
In fact, mothers were God’s idea! Genesis 1:28 tells us, “God blessed [Adam and Eve] and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'”
The Bible never commands or implies that every woman should be a mother, but mothers do enjoy special privileges and responsibilities.
God’s original design was that mothers would love and care for their children and teach them God’s ways, and in return, their children would honor them and call them blessed.
Here’s what the Bible says about mothers.
1. Mothers are to Love their Children
“Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children…” — Titus 2:4
The Bible both directly says and implies that mothers are to love and care for their children. While God’s Word never gives step-by-step, detailed instructions for what this might look like (it can vary from mother to mother), we do see many examples of both godly and not-so-godly women of the Bible we can look up to as an example in our own motherhood.
2. Mothers are to Teach their Children
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” — Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Similarly, the Bible teaches us that mothers are to teach their children God’s ways. We can do this both through verbal instruction (explicitly teaching our children how to read the Bible, for example) as well as by leading through example.
As mothers, our actions set our children’s “normal.” When our children see us consistently seek the kingdom of God through prayer, Bible study, fellowship with other believers and obedience to God’s leading, they are more likely to follow in these same behaviors as well.
3. Mothers are to Be Honored
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” — Exodus 20:12
We may not always agree with our parents’ choices, and our own children may not always agree with ours, but God still commands all of us, as believers, to respect of our parents as the God-given authorities He has placed in our lives.
It is perfectly acceptable to set boundaries around toxic family members or to speak up against sin, but we must always do so out of love and honor for each others’ well-being.
In fact, the Bible tells us that this is the first command with a promise. When we honor our parents (whether or not they deserve it), God promises to bless us for our obedience to Him (Ephesians 6:2-3).
4. Mothers are Blessed
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” — Psalm 127:3
Unfortunately, in today’s culture, children are often seen as an inconvenience, nuisance or annoyance. In the Bible, this is not the case! The Bible makes it abundantly clear that children are a blessing and that mothers are blessed to be able to care for them.
5. Mothers are an Important Part of God’s Plan!
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” — Psalm 139:13
Similarly, motherhood is often looked down upon by those who feel women can (and should!) be more than “just a mom.” Yet, while God can certainly call women to all sorts of roles both inside and outside the home, the role of motherhood will always be an important one.
The Bible tells us that mothers provide the environment children need to grow into the amazing people God is creating them to be, whether that’s in the womb or in the home. When mothers partner with God to raise amazing kids, there’s no such thing as “just a mom.”
Motherhood is a sacred (and very important) calling!
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