Today we pause to honor that special person in our lives whom we lovingly call “Mother.” The Bible says of the virtuous woman and mother described in Proverbs 31:10-31, Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her — Proverbs 31:28.

History records almost all Christian workers who have been greatly used of God had godly, devoted mothers. It is no accident God put His hand upon a young man named Timothy, for he grew up under the influence of a godly mother, Eunice, and a godly grandmother, Lois (see II Timothy 1:5). With Moses, there was a faithful Jochebed (see Exodus 2 and Hebrews 11:23). It’s very unlikely Samuel would have become one of God’s mighty messengers without a godly Hannah (see I Samuel 1-3). With very few exceptions, great men have had godly mothers.

Susannah Wesley spent one hour each day praying for her 17 children. In addition, she took each child aside for a full hour every week to discuss spiritual matters. It’s no wonder two of her sons, Charles and John, were used of God to bring blessing to all of England and much of America. Here are a few rules she followed in training her children:

1. Subdue self-will in a child and thus work together with God to save his soul.

2. Teach him to cry softly.

3. Teach him to pray as soon as he can speak.

4. Give him nothing he cries for and only what is good for him if he asks for it politely.

5. To prevent lying, punish no fault which is freely confessed, but never allow a rebellious, sinful act to go unnoticed.

6. Commend and reward good behavior.

7. Strictly observe all promises you have made to your child.

May God give us more mothers whose chief concern is the rearing of children for righteousness; mothers who make the home a little corner of heaven on earth!

Dear God, give us mothers whose gentle hands speak of sacrificial labor for their families; whose voices sing softly of Jesus and His love, and who uphold their families in prayer.

With grateful hearts, some of us relive fond memories of such a person. For many, she waits on the shores of Glory. For others, her face still smiles in life. We should rise up to call her blessed. Profound is the influence of a mother: “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.” How great and how wonderful the influence of godly mothers!

Our reflection this week is from the desk of Pastor George A. Mulford III of Grace Bible Baptist Church, Leesburg, FL. He was licensed and ordained by Faith Baptist Church in Sarasota, FL, after receiving a degree in Bible from Heritage Baptist University. He was called as pastor to Grace Bible Baptist in March 1991. On Nov. 9, 2014, after 39 years of faithful ministry and pastoral care and having met all of the academic requirements, Pastor Mulford was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity by Trinity Baptist Seminary chartered under the laws of the State of Georgia. He and his wife, Kathy, have four children and eight grandchildren.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Believe you can and you’re halfway there. — Theodore Roosevelt