I recall a beloved telenovela I watched, although the name escapes me. What remains vivid is the portrayal of an elderly woman who depicted the role of a doctor. In the storyline, this doctor experienced the tumult of marriage, divorce, and separation from her spouse. Years later, tragedy struck when one of her children fell seriously ill. As the child was brought to her for medical care, the mother, a doctor herself, was overcome with emotion. With tears streaming down her face, she fervently prayed to spare her child’s life, offering her own in exchange. This poignant motherhood moment was very touching and I never forgot it.
I recall watching this specific episode with my mother, who remarked that the doctor’s actions were nothing out of the ordinary, as every mother has likely uttered a similar prayer to God at some point in her life. This illustrates the essence of motherhood—selflessness and sacrifice. While Christians and religious individuals often profess their love for God, the closest approximation to comprehending God’s love is experiencing the unwavering, unconditional love of a mother.
Renowned American columnist and author, Erma Louise Bombeck, once shared a heartfelt tale about the creation of mothers. In her narrative, she described how God dedicated extra time to crafting mothers, prompting an angel’s curiosity. The angel remarked on the extensive effort God was putting into this particular creation, to which God responded by outlining the remarkable qualities of mothers.
God explained that mothers were designed with a kiss capable of healing everything from physical injuries to emotional wounds. They were endowed with the ability to function tirelessly on coffee, tea, and leftovers, and were equipped with an astonishing six pairs of hands. The angel, astounded by this, questioned the necessity of so many hands, but God clarified that the three pairs of eyes posed the real challenge.
Mothers were to possess one pair of eyes capable of seeing through closed doors, allowing them to anticipate their children’s actions before even asking. Another pair of eyes would be situated at the back of their heads, enabling them to witness things they weren’t supposed to see but needed to address. Lastly, they would have a pair of eyes in front that could convey love and understanding to a child in need, wordlessly.
Despite the angel’s skepticism, God continued to enumerate the incredible attributes of mothers. They could heal themselves when sick, stretch a pound of mince to feed a family of six, and effortlessly persuade even the most stubborn child to take a bath. The angel, however, noted a perceived flaw—a tear on the model of motherhood. But God explained that tears were not a defect but a symbol of the depth of a mother’s emotions—expressing joy, sadness, sorrow, disappointment, and pride.
In the end, the angel marveled at God’s creation, acknowledging the genius behind the design of mothers. Yet, God humbly clarified that He hadn’t placed tears there; they were an inherent part of the profound experience of motherhood.
The above illustration of a mother having the capacity to multitask as if she is a super being, (which she is as not every hero wears a cape) was better illustrated in one of the teachings of late televangelist, Myles Munroe, who pointed out that “You give the right woman anything and she will multiply it. She will turn groceries into a meal, a house into a home, a seed into a baby, and she will help turn her man’s vision into reality”.
Mothers hold a special place in our lives as caregivers and educators. Their role is invaluable, and it’s essential to cherish and honor them every day, not just on a designated Mother’s Day. They invest their time, energy, and resources in raising us, deserving our utmost respect and admiration. The Bible in the Ten Commandments instructs us to honor our parents so that our days on earth will be long. In other biblical accounts, mothers play pivotal roles, such as Mary, who prompted Jesus’s first miracle by informing him of the wine shortage in John chapter 2 vs 2. Also, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, in Matthew 20:20-21, approached Jesus begging and interceded for her children’s positions in heaven.
Mothers not only fulfill roles as caregivers and disciplinarians but also serve as intercessors in the lives of their children. Their selflessness is beautifully captured in a Danish saying, “He who takes a child by the hand takes the mother by the heart.” This profound bond highlights the depth of a mother’s love and devotion to her children.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there and the ones in heaven.
Emmanuel Adigwe is a Senior Editor and Writer for a popular magazine.
