(Kent Heaton)

For all the qualities of motherhood that we try to express, in each and every word we say more about ourselves than anything else. For every child that is born realizes much later the essence of life was drawn from that person called "Mother." In the hearts of some, these memories are not happy - and that is sad. Many children grow up in homes where "mother" is not loving or kind and the memories are darkened by despair. Many children grow up with the wonderful sensation of that single name and love the thoughts that embrace their lives in those memories.

As a newborn child, we feel warmth and love from the most tender of God's creation. Created in the bosom of the woman is an undying love for that tiny infant born of her womb. Through months of travail and climaxed in the final moments of birth, the story of creation repeats itself again in the cry of life. Held close to the breast and caressed with untold love, the tiny infant is comforted.

Through the years, the child explores the world through the guiding hand of the mother and the father. Immediate distinctions are made between the mother and the father. Each gentle, kind and loving in their own way - there is something special about the love of the mother. The velvet touch of her heart secures the child's life in the bond of protection. When mother comes into the room, hands reach up to be held close and soothed with the gentle voice. Security is found within her arms.

As the child grows, the wisdom of the mother is imparted to impatient ears. In the younger years, the child is bound with the heart of their mother with each and every word. Changes take place and the child learns independence, seeking paths on his own. Still, the gentle hand of mother seeks to guide the young child.

As the birds of the heavens teach us, a time comes for the young child to "leave the nest" and seek life on its own. The call of the mother cries out in love and concern. "Be careful, watch for this, watch for that, let me help you .... " - the child flies free. With him he takes her heart. A large part of her life is taken with that young child as they now take their place in the wide, wide world.

The child enters adulthood and life seeks its changes in every way. A new family is born to the child as they to enter the family relationship. The strength of motherhood remains deep in the heart and with those words of so long ago - stored up in the heart of a child - guidance is offered and shared to mold the new family.

The joy of birth is repeated again as the child now becomes the parent and begins to understand more the love given in life. The mother's love embraces the new child as the joy of now being a grandparent beams from her heart. The work of love continues with each new child. A family is built upon the love of a mother shared with her child and now expressed in the love the child has for their own children.

Time marches in rapid steps and life makes it many changes. Mother is not filled with the same vigor of yesterday and her pace is much slower. The children embrace her with loving care and soothe her life with a returning love. The one who gave so much love to the new born child is now receiving the tender care of a love given long ago. With age increased, the mother weakens and is now cared for by others and she cared for her own so many, many years.

The heart is broken in the quiet of the night as the final gleam of love closes in death. The eye no longer glows with love, the mouth no longer utters words of guidance, the hands are folded in place - worn from years of labor - resting - and the heart takes its last beat. The treasure of a mother's love can only be found in the emotions of memory that flood the soul.

Years pass and the life of a grand woman of stature never leaves the heart of the child. The quality of the child's life is summed up in the heart of love given from the mother's gift - her life. Pictures hang on the wall reflecting the warmth of her love. Voices from the past echo through the mind of the child in words of love. Hearts break in the thoughts of how her life touched the child's life. Tears flow from time missed in talking with her, laughing with her and sharing so much with her.

Death takes only the body but can never remove the heart of motherhood. In every day and in every way, the child lives in the loving shadow of the woman who molded life in the image of God. It was not her own beauty that gave her the highest of qualities. It was not her own wisdom that made her words as drops of gold. It was a love she learned from her Father in heaven.

The quality of motherhood is found in the teaching of God's love to the heart of the child. No greater task and no greater labor can be found than the beauty of a mother's love to teach the child to love the Lord. Man can never measure the gift of a mother's devotion to teach her children to love the Lord and serve him in every way.

The accolades of man will not remember the love of a mother's heart who teaches her child the highest principles of life. This reward is only given by the Father and received by the mother on the final day when she stands before the throne of mercy, truth and justice. Her reward is found in her salvation. Her reward is the knowledge she has taught her children the way of the Lord. Her reward is to find her children standing with her as they marvel at the city "whose builder and maker is God."

The quality of motherhood is found in the heart of Noah's wife - when - as God shut the door of the ark - she stood hand in hand with Noah and gazed upon the faces of her children safely within the salvation of the ark. At that moment, nothing else mattered in the world. As the rain began to fall and the ark was lifted high, nothing else had value in the world save the safety of her children.

In the celebration of motherhood, we must find the real meaning of that creation so long ago when Eve first brought forth her children. We are reminded of the power of motherhood by a young maiden named Mary - who brought forth the Son of God into a world covered in darkness. Our eyes then turn to three decades later when Mary beheld her son dying on the cross and in the midst of the salvation of all humanity, Jesus said: "Woman, behold thy son!' Then Jesus turned to John and said, "Behold thy mother."

The quality of motherhood is found in that moment when Jesus blessed Mary for her valiant life of service to God. No greater love can a child have than to give thanks to a woman who taught the word of God and instilled a love of God in the heart of that child.

"My son, keep your father's command, and do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you roam, they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you. For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life ... Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him. Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice ... when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also ... Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise." (Proverbs 6:20-23; 23:22-25; 2 Timothy 1:5; Ephesians 6:2)

'Twas the night before Mother's Day and all through the house, not a creature was sleeping, not even the mouse. My daughter was restless still sniffling with a cold, and after ten days, it was getting very old.

My baby's not sleeping, she's also been ill. And I'm praying for patience ... it's a test of my will. My time is not spent with novels and films, Instead I'm wiping noses and unidentifiable spills.

"Don't fight with your sister." "Come on, we'll be late!" "Will you put your shoes on without making me wait?" And in the midst of it all I suddenly pause, to realize the gift of my children is the most precious of all. Being a mother is no easy task, with all the demands, so MANY they ask!

And though my head may be screaming words I cannot repeat My heart loves every moment, even those not-so-sweet. It's getting late, my children are sleeping. Oh how I've longed for this moment ... but now find myself creeping into their rooms to take one last peek. For fulfillment in my life, I no longer seek.

Ear infections and colds, come what may. For I feel the most blessed person on this Mother's Day. And if you're reading this passage I encourage you to say, yes, I will make the time to cherish every day.

Now one more thing to proclaim as I withdraw out of site ... Happy Mother's Day to all, and to all a goodnight!