Mother's Day
／Donald Ng
(Senior Pastor of First Chinese Baptist Church in San Francisco)
One undeniable fact is that we all have mothers. Without their special gifts to bring new life into the world, we would not exist. Mothers come in all different brands. Some may have had more difficulties than others in fulfilling their responsibilities as mothers, but all of them cared enough to nurture and love, to bring about the next generation.
On Mother's Day we celebrate and honor all the mothers in our midst and in the world. In Proverbs 31:30we read that when a woman or mother honors or gives reverence to God, she is to be praised. We recognize how important mothers are in sharing Bible stories with their children, in giving moral guidance in hard situations, in providing food for nourishment, and in showering forgiving love in times of hurting and loneliness. The role of being a mother can also be seen in single and older women accepting these responsibilities for the life of the larger community. Sometimes fathers and other men can also serve as nurturers and caregivers for children and others. We celebrate all who have taken the time and responsibility to raise our children－especially our mothers.
My mother became a Christian at the First Baptist Church of Boston when she came to America in 1947. She always said to me in Chinese, "When it is God's will, it will be okay."(Facing tremendous family trials herself, she always would say, "When it is God's will, it will be okay.") When I was considering my call to full-time Christian ministry, she would remind me that it is God's will and whatever God wants us to do, it is for our very best. What trust the faithfulness! I praise God for the honor and trust that my mother had for God's will. I honor my mother for her trust in God.
"A woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates." (Proverbs 31:30~31).
