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Learn from mothers in the Bible
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“The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Rules the World,” William Ross Wallace wrote that poem in 1865.

Despite what many in the world might say, good mothers are needed today more than ever. Mothers have a tremendous responsibility, one that helps to mold and make leaders of tomorrow - a responsibility that must be taken seriously.

Mothers’ influence is so important in children’s lives, and God’s word tells about many mothers who influenced their children for good.

Hannah was a mother talked about in the Old Testament who gave her child to the service of God. She had desperately wanted a child.

In her wisdom when she encountered a problem for which she could find no solution, she went to God. This example is one mothers today should follow as they raise their children remember to pray and pray often. Children need to know that God is the one to whom one can go when they are facing problems.

Mothers can find many fine books on how to care for their children, but the Bible is the book one needs to get help in rearing a child. Prayer and Bible study should be a part of each little one’s life.

Hannah made a promise to God that she would devote her child to his service. When the time came she brought her son to Eli, just as she had promised (1 Sam. 1:26-28).

More Hannahs willing to train boys to follow God are needed today. This is the answer for most of the world’s problems. Youth today need to see examples of mothers and fathers obeying God and working together to make a home and to get to heaven.

In the book of Ruth, one can find another woman who was a caring mother. Her name was Naomi. She endured many hardships in her life.

She lived during the time of a great famine, and her family had to travel to another country to find food. This would be a great hardship, but even more happened to her.

“And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons” (Ruth 1:3).

Some might have given up and turned from following God, but evidence shows Naomi continued to serve God. Her sons married women of Moab, Orpah and Ruth. They lived in Moab about 10 years and her sons died.

When Naomi heard that the famine was over in her home land she determined to go home. She told her daughters-in-law of her plans and told them to return to their homes. Ruth shows by her words to Naomi the influence Naomi had been on her.

She said, “Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me” (Ruth 1:16,17).

Here was a woman who showed by her example there is a God in heaven who she would serve.

When one reads the New Testament, two mothers stand out as great women of faith. This was Lois and Eunice.

Paul said, “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also” (2 Tim. 1:5).

When one reads of how Paul trusted Timothy, Lois and Eunice’s effect on Timothy’s life is easily seen. Their instruction of Timothy in the scriptures, serves as an example for mothers of today to do the same. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim.

3:15). The world today needs women of the book, God’s book women who are not afraid to love their husbands and their children, but who love God more than anything else.

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