That’s the nature of God, who loves mankind, even when love is not given in return. Through Scripture, the central theme from Genesis to Revelation is God’s love for His people. In spite of the level of disobedience, rejection, and denial, God still loves us with an uncompromising, unconditional love. God never withdraws His love from His people. They often disappoint Him, but His love is steadfast, unwavering and never falls short.

     That’s the same type of love that a mother has for her children. A mother has the kind of love for her family that endures through many heartaches and pains. A mother who is concerned for the welfare of her children takes a lot that is undeserving. Often times, a mother is the first to be hurt in a broken relationship. When there is rejection and misunderstanding, it is usually directed toward her. Yet, a mother will accept all of the criticism for the benefit of the family as a whole.

     Today we celebrate MOTHER’S DAY. A day that is very fitting to recognize those who give so much. The qualities of a mother far exceed those of any other life form in the universe. When God created life on the earth, He created man and then out of his side, He took a rib and created woman. He gave them the charge to multiply and replenish the earth. That charge has not changed. The reproduction of life, as outlined in God’s Word, is for man and woman to produce life. As we look to Scripture for our direction, it is the mother who is to provide the nurture for the children. However, if we listen to society, there is an attempt to change everything that God has ordained to fit into the world’s mold. One thing that the world will not be able to duplicate is that of motherhood according to God’s design.

     It is important to note that just because someone gives birth to a baby, that does not make her a mother, no more so than an apple produced on a peach tree makes it a peach. A mother exhibits certain qualities that are only given by God. A mother, according to God’s plan, is loving, kind, nurturing, protective, supportive, patient, etc. She is longsuffering and willing to endure great difficulties for the benefit of children.

     God has provided good examples of the quality of mothers in His Word—women like Hannah, Elizabeth, Eunice, etc. God has also provided a role for grandparents in assisting in child rearing. Lois is a good example as she was a strong force in the rearing of Timothy. God will provide whatever is needed in a home for the rearing of children if those who are in that home are willing to seek God first.

     It is my prayer that mothers will follow God’s model for motherhood and not the world’s. God’s model is perfect and will always work!

     But finally, at the end of the first year when I got my grades, I had earned the distinguished position of “academic probation.” Which meant, if I didn’t get my act together the following semester and show significant progress, I would be put out of college, would have to go back home to work on the farm, and that I didn’t want. It was at that moment I decided I needed to make a change in my priorities and knuckle down to do my work. I made the necessary changes and finally graduated with over a 3.0 grade point average (GPA).

     There are times when God allows us to go through situations for us to see that we need to change things around in our lives. All of us who claim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior have gone through wonderful transformational changes. The mere fact we trusted God for our salvation caused us to lay down our old lifestyle and pick up a new one. The apostle Paul stated it this way in II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Now, that’s a transformational change that took place in all of us who have been born again. The child of God is forever taking off the old man and putting on the new man.

     We all should take the opportunity occasionally and do an inventory of our life to explore those things we have that make us miserable. We must be honest with self and be willing to cut away those things that so easily beset us. The word circumcision means cutting away. Change takes place in our life when we are willing to cut away the things that are not beneficial to us in life and letting it go. That can mean cutting away anger, hate, envy, strife, jealousy, and many other bad habits that we conduct in our lives. God wants us to demonstrate quality, appropriate change in our lives. He wants us to experience change for the best.

     The only Person who has never changed is God. Hebrews 13:8 exclaims, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” You can depend on Jesus Christ always being Himself. We have further confirmation of an unchangeable God in Malachi 3:6 where He says, “For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” We can be thankful that God is a “constant” in our life. While we can totally depend on Him to do what is right by His children, can He depend on us to do what is right to each other? He wants us to change, but it must be change that honors and glorifies His name.

     Let each of us make ourselves available to God for Him to make us what He wants us to be. If it means that we have to walk away from all that we consider important to us to follow Him, then we must be willing to make that change in our life to do it.