In the English languge, nouns are simply names given to people, places, or things. But in the Hebrew language, nouns are action words.

Interestingly, the Hebrew word for mother is ‘em,’ and it literally means ”the one that binds the family together.”  What a great description of a mom.

Sadly, much of today’s culture sends a different message to women about what it means to be a mother and what her priorities should be. Sally Clarkson talks about this in her book, The Mission of Motherhood –

“For thousands of years the view of motherhood described in the Bible was generally respected in Western culture. Motherhood was seen as a noble and important calling. Women considered themselves blessed to bear many children, and it was considered normal and good for home and family to be the central focus of a woman’s life.”

“By the time I became a mother, however, the American culture had dramatically re-defined the role of motherhood, and the Biblical model of motherhood no longer drove the imagination of culture. Somehow, over the course of the last century, traditional motherhood became a lifestyle option – and to many, a lesser option – rather than a divine calling.”

Dad, let us be the ones to re-define culture, starting in our own family. Let us recognize and honor our own mothers this Sunday. And let us also take the opportunity this weekend to affirm and praise our wife in her role, her divine calling, to be the one who binds your family together. By doing so, we will model to our children the true value we place on motherhood. It will show our sons how to value their mom and their future wife. It will show our daughters how to value their mom and their role as a future mother.

“Her children rise up and call her blessed; and her husband also praises her. Comeliness is deceptive and beauty is vain; but a woman who reverences the LORD shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:28,30