Now I know I may be prejudiced, but I have a hunch that many a mother will occupy a higher position in God's kingdom than many prominent leaders whom we might expect to find in places of greater honor.

Think of some of the great people of the Bible like Moses, Samuel, and Timothy. Where would they have been had it not been for their praying mothers? Think of Augustine, John Newton, and the zealous Wesley brothers; their names may never have ignited the pages of history had it not been for the blessed influence of godly mothers!

The simple prayers from our infant lips were but echoes from our mother's heart. Many of us will never forget the soft caresses of those hands of blessing on our heads as we knelt by our beds. Can we fail to remember her night vigils, her seasons of intercession, her well-marked Bible, and her words of admonition? Her actions spoke eloquently of Him who taught us of the love of God, which was even greater than her own.

I am challenged by great stories of godly mothers that prayed for their children, and influenced them for God. But as the mother of seven children, most of whom serve God by serving others, I am honest to tell you that without the love, the partnership and the strong leadership of my wonderful husband, Fred, I never could have loved and cared for and guided our children to be the wonderful, creative, sensitive, compassionate, generous, godly men and women leaders they have become.

But let me hasten to add that sometimes the home is broken by a tragic death or a tragic divorce, and there may have to be single parent families. And thank God that He has been faithful to millions of mothers and fathers who have had to raise children alone. But the first chapter of Proverbs places responsibility upon both the father and the mother to bring up their children in God’s ways.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and do not forsake your mother's teaching; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head, and ornaments about your neck.”

So whether you are an intact family with both mother and father, or you are a single mother or a single father, these verses in Proverbs give us the bottom line:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”

Our children need to learn more than to walk and talk, read and write, have good manners and learn to take responsibility for themselves. Families are the place where children learn to fear the Lord, honor Him, reverence Him, and stand in awe of who He is.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” When we are faithful to train our children in the fear of the Lord, they will experience a fountain of life and strong confidence and deep satisfaction.

Mothers and fathers, this is our responsibility. This is our privilege. This is our honor.

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