Weekend Words

 From Amish Peace...

A Celebration of Mothers

"My child, listen when your father corrects you.  Don't neglect your mother's instruction.  What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck." - Proverbs 1:8-9

On Mother's Day children gather flowers or purchase potted plants as gifts for their mothers.  Some teachers have their students make cards at school.  Not every Amish community celebrates Mother's Day, but every community does honor mothers and women in general.

In the Amish church, everyone has a place.  Even the seating reflects this.  As the church service begins, Saloma Furlong writes, "the oldest women...file in and take their places, followed by the middle aged women, and on down to the younger married women.  Then the unmarried women...file in and take their places, again by age.

In Amish society, women are their children's caregivers.  They are their children's first teachers.  They provide food, clothes and affection.  Older women are looked up to for their wisdom.  And although mothers are honored with flowers, when we follow wisdom, we're the ones who wear wreaths and crowns; "If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.  Embrace her, and she will honor you.  She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown" (Proverbs 4:8-9).

It's possible that you weren't raised by a godly mother, but there may be an older women in your life to whom you can turn for advice and support.  None of us will ever outgrow the need for loving mentors.  Each of us needs instruction and advice.  When we can learn from the experiences of others, we don't need to learn things the hard way.

If you do have a wise, caring mother, you are blessed, for every time you follow the guidance and instruction of loving parents, you become someone who will be effective in leading the next generation towards God.  You can also be a Godly mentor to girls and younger women.  Your own life experiences can make another person's life easier.

Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for wise, godly women, for those who are faithful guides to future generations.  I pray that you will give me someone to look to, and also someone to lead towards You.