When a woman is about to give birth, she is in great pain.
But after it is all over, she forgets the pain and is happy,
because she has brought a child into the world. (John 16:21)
Jesus says this in the Upper Room on the night he has betrayed. He is talking about how our experience of believers is one of pain and sorrow that will result in joy. He uses the example of a mother giving birth to illustrate this.
We live in a culture that is bent on pain avoidance, not being in an uncomfortable situation, and even not delaying satisfaction for a higher goal. It seems child bearing is looked down upon. It is avoided so much that the citizen birth rate is the USA is below the replacement level.
Even our attitude toward children themselves is skewed. A child is seen as a loss for the producer, a polluter, and a burden to an alleged overpopulated planet. Yet, in the divine perspective, children bring joy. I read recently that the average person produces over 25 times more than he or she consumes in lifetime. So, the net economic result is a great positive for society. But even more that money, having children is the reason we exist.
That is why it is important for us to celebrate Mothers’ Day. It began as a recognition in the church, and still affirms the mother’s vital role in the formation and development of children. We affirm the scriptural principal that children are a gift from the Lord. Children are not a burden, but a blessing, and that is how we are to see them in human society. Each is a gift from God, and each brings gifts and talents to enrich our world.
Have a Blessed Mothers’ Day,
Pastor Greg
