My mother is special. This is a fact, as sure in my thinking as the existence of the keyboard in front of me. That much I know, but why?
The temptation is to assume my mother is special just because she went through labor and had me. That is, of course, the self-centered view . . . as if I am sort of hero whose very birth makes a hero of the woman who went through the labor.
I am not a hero, not even to me, so that is out. What made my mother, Ann, so special? What makes a mother worthy of praise? It cannot be that a good mother is good simply because she was the rental space in which baby was born . . . if only because mothers in adoption are just as much mothers to their children.
Jesus helps us, as usual. He is a hero and His birth was spectacular. If any mother is worth praising just because she was His mother, then the Virgin would be that woman.
Read Luke 11:
27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Jesus does not use many words, but His sayings pierce to the heart of the matter. Women cannot be reduced to their biological function (wombs and breasts) and neither can motherhood. A mother is blessed (happy) or fulfilled when she takes her function (even the unique biology of womankind) and uses it as a chance to “hear the word of God, and keep it.”
Luke has already shown the Christ’s mother in this very role in the very first chapter of his gospel.
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Mary obeyed and was blessed of all women. Her cousin Elisabeth said:
42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
The focus is not simply on the miracle of Mary’s virginity, though she was virgin. It is not on the miracle of carrying God made flesh or nursing the Creator.
That is amazing, but remarkable events do not a woman “blessed.”
The focus is on her human obedience and humility. Mary believed and God acted. It is this that makes a true mother and a blessed human being.
A true mother hears the call to parenthood and bears her child. Of course, even a bad woman could do this, but a true mother believes and acts in righteousness. Mary was not blessed because of her biology, but because of her obedience!
Why is my mother special in my memory? She is special because all my life Ann Kathryn Reynolds tried to hear the word of the Lord and obey it. She made mistakes, I am sure, though childish memory forgets those actions in all the love she gave. My mother has never stopped trying to follow Christ where He was leading. It has cost her homes, comfort, and worldly success. She has been content.
By being such a godly example of obedience to the command of motherhood, she birthed a desire for God in both of her children. We longed to have what she has. She was (like any real mother, biological or adoptive) a real parent to holiness.
Mary could sing, “My soul doth magnify the Lord . . .” even though she knew that her motherhood would bring a sword that would pierce her heart. Her generation rose up (as Scripture promises) to call her blessed of the Lord and her Son remembered her even on His cross.
In my own pitiful way, I too remember my mother today for her humility and her obedience. I call her “blessed” and honor her. Ann Kathryn Reynolds was my mother and worthy of honor not because she “bore me,” but because she (best she could) has always heard His words and obeyed them.
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!