What a Mother Wants Most!

It’s often said that “a mother’s work is never done.” There are multiple ways to see this sentiment. Either Mother never does her work, or Mother always has a task that needs doing, or perhaps that Mother is a mother no matter the age of her children. The first interpretation gives a negative and lazy view of Mother. The second seems to make Mother into a martyr to household chores. But, the third interpretation of this common saying offers wisdom and a vision of Mother’s key role in the lives of her family members forever. The focus of this article is this third interpretation.

No matter how old her children and grandchildren grow, a mother is always invested in their welfare and concerned about their happiness and moral success.

A few years ago, I came across a letter written by a mother during World War Two. It was a response to my grandfather. When he was a solider fighting overseas, his friend and neighbor was killed in action. My grandfather knew that the mother of his friend would want to know something really important about her son since he had passed away far from the safety of home, so he wrote her a letter. In the response letter I read, the mother told my grandfather how grateful she was to know that her “son was clean when he passed away.” This vital information that my grandfather sent this mother gave her peace in her son’s death. She knew he was going to a good place, and that he was ready to die. Somehow my grandfather knew that was what the mother would want to know most, and that it would give her the most comfort.

Imagine if you were separated from your child for multiple years and were not able to contact them. What would you want to know most? What would be the most important to you as a mother or father?

For many years I took youth into my home as foster youth for treatment. After they would leave, I was not permitted to remain in contact with them. I suppose this was the way the state helped the youth focus on where they were instead of the past. I always thought about my foster children after they left our home. I wondered where they were and if they were happy, but most of all I wondered if they had been true to the teachings I had taught them.

I taught them to be honest, morally clean, hardworking, kind, and smart — as well as to follow after truth and be in control of themselves. I knew these things would bring them happiness in all they did in life. Combined, these things would make a good heart.

What a Mother Wants Most

For Mother’s Day people struggle to find the perfect gift for their mothers. They give their mothers jewelry, flowers, clothes, homemade gifts, fine food, and service. But, the humblest drawing means just as much as the finest jewelry. Why? Because each gift shows Mother a grateful heart. The fact that Mother has raised a child to be grateful is the most priceless gift a mother could get. Mothers want to know their life’s work is worth it.

Mothers want their children and husbands to turn out good. The word good in Latin is bonum. Summum bonum means “the highest good” and “living according to God’s precepts.” That is what mothers want their children to do. They want their children to listen to their teachings and follow them. Most mothers try to align their teachings with God’s teachings. The greatest gift a mother can receive comes when a child or husband shows, self-control, character, love, kindness, gratitude, faith, compassion, wisdom, etc. These are the gifts that show Mother she did a good job or that her family recognizes her greatest glory and magnificent work.

A Mother’s Greatest Glory

Sure, Mother likes to dress nice and develop her talents. But, more than that, Mother likes to be a good mother. The choices her husband and children make are more valuable than rubies or worldly glory to her.

The greatest glory of Mother is her work within the walls of her own home. No other success can compare to the joy she feels when her family is on the right track.

Of course, even the best mothers can have children and husbands who don’t listen to her teachings for a time. But, Mother’s work is never done. She works and works all the days of her life to strengthen and lift the hearts of her family members so that they can find the happiness she found in her own heart while she served, loved, and controlled herself for them.

This past year my friend Neva Cox died of old age. At her funeral her son said how even just a few days before his mother died she looked at him and said, “Be good.” More than anything else, that is what mothers want; for their children to be good.

This Mother’s Day, give Mom what she really wants, your heart and actions going toward the truths she taught you. Be good.

And, if you are the Mom, be grateful for the work of Motherhood! It’s your greatest glory. This work can’t be duplicated by anyone. It sets you apart from the rest of society. Mothers really do have the power to rule the world through the work that they do and the goodness they teach!

Join me for a heart-changing Parenting Mastery event June 7- 9, 2018. Request this unifying training for Mother’s Day! Reserve your spot here!