The Ideal Mother

by: Rev. Leon Aguilera

When we use the word “ideal,” many may feel left out, because few would ever catagorize themselves as the ideal of anything. In the first definition of “ideal” the meaning is given: satisfying one's conception of what is perfect. The more acceptable definition is: best possible. Most of us would never consider ourselves the perfect anything, but we would like to be our best. God has blessed me to be the pastor of moms, dads, kids, singles and seniors. Overall, I believe I pastor the best moms in the world. Perhaps it easy to say this since I pastor at times my mother, mother-in-law and the mother of my son. You may be saying, “You’d better be saying that, Pastor.” In all seriousness, I really believe it to be true; I pastor a group of ideal mothers. I can collectively say about the mothers of Lefferts Park what Solomon said about the virtuous woman, “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all” (Proverbs 31:29).

I want to talk about three qualities of an ideal mother.

1. An ideal mother laughs.

The Bible says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). The Lord knows we all need a good sense of humor. There are so many mothers in our church I could use as an example of this quality.  Moms, don’t forget to look on the bright side! Seize the opportunity to laugh with your family.

2. An ideal mother learns.

I am not just speaking of the moms who are formally educated.  Most all the ladies in our church are vociferous readers.  An ideal mother is a learning mother. Many of our mothers want to learn because they want the very best for their kids. I marvel at those mothers who will go above and beyond to master a subject, just so her kids can learn from her what she has learned first. One of the best examples of this is the mother of a young man by the name of George. George was dyslexic and could not read or write until he was twelve years old. His grandfather was a famous military man during the Civil War and his father was a brilliant lawyer. As far as role models, George had a lot to live up to. George’s mother did not want him to give up on life or sense that the strikes against him meant that he was destined to “strike-out.” His mom read to this young man the stories of heroes. She read to him of Alexander the Great, Scipio, Cromwell, Jackson and Lee. At twelve he began to read and then write. He mastered these skills fairly well, for he went on to become an outstanding student at the United States Military Academy at West Point. George S. Patton went down in history as one of the greatest field commanders in the entire history of the United States. Old “Blood and Guts” as he was called, became a great man because he had a mother who read to him. By the way, his spinster aunt did a great deal of reading to him as well. My most influential teachers throughout my school years were always women. My 7th grade World History teacher made the strongest impression on me. May we ever be mindful that we are to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (II Timothy 2:15).

3. An ideal mother loves.

You knew I would have to include this virtue. I Corinthians 13:8 says, “Charity (love) never faileth….” A mother’s love is inexhaustible.   I will ask how can I pray for you?  A recent response, “Please pray that my kids would not only believe in God, but believe God.” What a great prayer to pray! Years ago, I was given a quote, “God could not be everywhere, and that’s why He gave us mothers.” Doesn’t that sound sweet? It may sound sweet, but it is wrong. God is everywhere, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me” (Psalm 139: 7-9).  Here’s the truth of the matter. Moms cannot be everywhere, but God can be and this God demands to be loved. The greatest thing a loving mother can do is to teach her children to love God. I love what more than one mother wrote on a prayer card: “Pray for (name of child) that (he or she) will be saved; they are close!” I think God gives Christian mothers the sixth sense in a lot of areas, but especially in spiritual matters. No one knows the heart of the child like a Christian mom.

 As our kids grow, we want to instill within our children loyalty to our home turf and ourselves. Nothing is wrong with that, but remember, it is far more important for that child to love the Lord and not turn back from a dedicated walk with Him, than for that child to come home for the holidays. A mother who loves her children will teach them to love God and give Him first place. “…In all things he might have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18).