(Genesis 1:26–27) Then
God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have
dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over
the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps
on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image
of God he created him; male and female
he created them.
The glory of God is so
great that it requires the combined efforts and collective image bearing
capacities of two genders: male and female. And although
image-bearing is implicit in all that we do as men and women, certain offices
and duties are uniquely weighted with revelations of God’s goodness and love.
Take for instance those who bear the office of Mother.
- Mothers bear the
image of their Creator when they bring into existence something that bears
resemblance to them and yet is completely unique and separate from them.
- Mothers bear the
image of their Creator when they bring children into existence knowing in advance that they will be
difficult, selfish, ungrateful and who at times will be so busy with their own
agendas that they will fail to adequately stay in touch.
- Mothers bear the
image of their Creator when they bring children into existence, not for what
the children can do for them, but rather as objects of their intense love and
unflagging devotion; little people upon whom to lavish affection,
encouragement, provision and praise.
- Mothers bear the
image of their Creator when they lovingly perform a thousand selfless deeds for
their children accompanied by a thousand gifts of service and are happily
content to have one or two acknowledged and praised.
- Mothers bear the
image of their Creator when they willingly take responsibility to wipe their
children clean from the filth that their children continually produce or glop
on themselves from without and are quite helpless to do anything about. And
this they do no matter how frequently or ceaselessly their children smudge,
smear and soil themselves.
- Mothers bear the
image of their Creator when they teach, and then re-teach, and then re-re-teach
the same lessons over and over again, patiently committed to teach the lessons
as many times as it takes for the wisdom to take root in the hearts of their
children.
- Mothers bear the
image of their Creator when they become fiercely angry and ferociously intimidating
towards anyone or anything that would seek to do harm to their little ones.
- Mothers bear the
image of their Creator when they, just like the Lord God, are perfectly easy to
please, and forever impossible to satisfy. Ever eager to acknowledge and praise
the smallest of their children’s victories and accomplishments, and ever
wanting for them more than they are able to ask or imagine.
And so, moms, we sons and daughters thank you from the
very bottom of our hearts, not merely for your myriad acts of love and service.
But for the countless ways that you displayed and revealed to us the
big-hearted goodness and never-ending love of our Creator God. To Him be all
glory and praise!
