The Mother Nexus

With Mother's Day approaching, the conversation at our last church staff meeting just naturally turned to mothers. Everyone had memories to share. Many of them focused on the wonderful foods their mother cooked or how she kept alive various family traditions. One staffer remembered how his mother always included a special treat in his school lunch along with a note signed with a heart and the word “Mom.” Another shared that his mom never missed a soccer game, and was always yelling encouragement from the sidelines. A third staffer recalled their annual family camping trip to Yosemite, and how her mom managed to pack food, supplies and clothing for a family of 5 children, and never seemed to forget anything.

I smiled as I thought of my own mother, and how she always made my favorite Korean dishes for my birthday. I have a shoebox full of birthday cards that I received from her after I was an adult and left home. She never forgot one of my birthdays her entire life. As we listened to each other's stories, we all agreed that mothers are the nexus, the center and heart of the family. They keep everyone connected to each other and to the traditions of the family. They remember all the little details that mean so much, and they are the glue that holds everything together.

Interestingly, this image of binding together like glue is depicted in the Hebrew word for mother which is EM or IMA. It is composed of two Hebrew letters, “alef” and “mem.” The Hebrew letter “alef” is represented by an ox head, and represents strength or leader. The Hebrew letter “mem” is represented by the symbol for water. So the symbolic meaning of the Hebrew word for mother is “strong water.” The ancient Hebrews made a substance they called “strong water” by boiling animal skins down to a paste-like consistency that they used to attach things together. The Hebrew mother was like this “strong water” paste, as she created the bonds that united the family.

Proverbs 31 gives a beautiful description of this “strong water” mother:

She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family.

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for the tasks.

She opens her arms to the poor; she extends her hands to the needy.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is upon her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household.

She does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also praises her.

(v. 15-17, 20, 26-28)

This is a picture of a strong, confident woman, who is equally competent at home and in the business setting. Her family is first, but she also has a heart for the poor and needy. She is full of wise counsel for her husband and her children, and they truly appreciate her. Although written several thousand years ago, this is a description of a completely modern mother.

Mothers are nothing short of amazing! Take time to show your mother just how much you appreciate her this Mothers Day. And if you are a mother, please remember just how very special you are!

Please join us this Mother's Day Sunday at 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM. We are beginning a new series on “Christlike Family,” and our topic this Sunday is “A Christlike Mother.”