Mom’s Influence
This would probably be an appropriate tribute to Mom’s around Mother’s Day, but I think we should celebrate Mom’s all year long. I am married to a wonderful Mom (and Nana). I am blessed with a wonderful Mom who gave counsel and advice my whole life. She was also blessed with a wonderful Mom (aka Mammie). My Dad’s Mom had a great deal of influence on him and me as well. Mom’s should hold a special place in all our hearts because they carried us in their bodies for 9 months and then the birthing process is a whole situation in itself.
As I’ve journeyed through the history of the kings of Israel & Judah, I’ve noticed that the scripture almost always mentions the mother of the guy who becomes king. I think it’s significant the influence a Mom could have over her son. This morning I came across another situation where a child becomes king and it is obvious that really his mom “called the shots”. Check this out….
1Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother was Hephzibah. 2 He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, following the detestable practices of the pagan nations that the Lord had driven from the land ahead of the Israelites. 3 He rebuilt the pagan shrines his father, Hezekiah, had destroyed. He constructed altars for Baal and set up an Asherah pole, just as King Ahab of Israel had done. He also bowed before all the powers of the heavens and worshiped them.
16 Manasseh also murdered many innocent people until Jerusalem was filled from one end to the other with innocent blood. This was in addition to the sin that he caused the people of Judah to commit, leading them to do evil in the Lord’s sight. (2 Kings 21:1-3,16 NLT)
This kings Mom was a horrible influence on her son. There are Moms who are strung out on drugs who simply mother a child, they don’t teach them and help them grow strong physically and emotionally.
Moms who trust in the Lord and follow the Lord are a strong force for their children and their children’s children. I think Moms should take their role in the lives of their children very seriously and seek to keep growing as a follower of God. My heart goes out to kids who are growing up without a Mom. My role as a husband and son to a mom should be love, encouragement, protection, provision and leadership.
I’ve tried to imagine how Mary performed as the Mom of Jesus. I suspect she spoke to Him in her womb and sang him songs before He was born. Moms have powerful influence in our culture from a position of serving their family. They often provide a compass of which direction is the right one when kids are trying to figure life out. If you’re blessed with a Mom – celebrate her and be grateful for her influence in your life.
Pressing On!
Dwayne