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Gerita Liebelt
2013-04-19
I do believe I’ve discovered an old Mother’s Day sermon by the apostle Paul! I say old, because it was probably written around A.D. 65, but I know God’s prophetic eye stretched down to our time because it is certainly relevant
today.
Paul’s premise is that it is God’s design for every mother to be educated and, in time, to educate others. And what is the curriculum? We find it in Titus 2:3-5 (I have numbered the traits).
The aged women likewise, that they be teachers of good things; that they may teach young women (1) to be sober (or sound minded), (2) to love their husbands, (3) to love their children, (4) to be discreet (or self-controlled), (5) chaste (pure in sexual relationships and conduct), (6) keepers at home, (7) good, (8) obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Why do you suppose Paul specified older women to be the teachers, rather than pastors or marriage counselors, and so on? I believe Paul knew there was no one more qualified to relate to mothers than a godly mother with years of
experience. We know that “Next to God, the mother’s power for good is the strongest known on earth” (Adventist Home, p. 240).
I’m sure that if Paul could speak to us today he would plead with women to love and obey their husbands again, honoring the position God has given them as spiritual leaders in the home. I’m confident he would urge women to be
keepers at home again, so that our children would not grow up in empty houses, lonely and insecure. With morality at an all time low, he would implore women to be pure in thought and action, dressing modestly as well.
I can imagine his voice ringing out with conviction
Mothers, awake to the fact that your influence and example are affecting the character and destiny of your children; and in view of your responsibility, develop a well-balanced mind and a pure character, reflecting only the true, the good and the beautiful (Ibid., p. 243).
Then perhaps he would close with this encouraging and comforting thought: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Thanks Paul! With God’s help, I want to be the woman He designed me to be. Don’t you?
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Gerita Liebelt lives with husband Lonny near Libby, Montana. She has been a teacher and nurse, among other things. The Liebelts have served in the Carolinas, Indiana, California, Wyoming, Washington, and Montana.