From Rayford's Desk, Mothers

To celebrate all of our Mothers this week, I considered sharing one of the beautiful poems that have been written for this purpose.     Instead, I decided to turn to God's Word. I am often asked by the children of a sweet wife and mother who has passed to share a specific portion of scripture in honor of their mother. The passage is found in Proverbs 31 and is often entitled, "The Worthy Woman."  This is, in fact, a text which honors all mothers, past and present, and I want to share a section of this text with you all to do that very thing.

"23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:23-31

To all of our dear mothers who may be reading this article, please know that all of us who are children are indebted to you for your love, patience, encouragement, training and yes, at times your discipline. You are now and for the rest of our lives, an incredible blessing to us.