It’s almost Mothers’ Day. I’m rejoicing today to be married to such a wonderful, loving Mama for my kids, with whom I’m so proud to be teamed up. I’m thanking God for my own mother, for her mother and my Dad’s mother, and for all the mothers who formed them. I’m lifting up praises for all my “mothers” in Christ, from Sunday School teachers to youth leaders, to faithful women who have gone before, whose testimony has been fuel for my faith.


But what’s driving me to drink this week is how our society devalues mothers, by reducing motherhood to a biological event to be debated, rather than a spiritual relationship to be nurtured.
Our neighbors in Virginia have recently become a flashpoint of this national debate.


God loves mothers. In fact, in several places the Bible says God is like our Mother. But I think the conversation about mothering—and parenting, in general—has gotten derailed by the conversation about what degree of choice women should have about actually becoming mothers.


I hear Biblical proof-texts from both sides of the abortion debate (an overwhelming majority from the “pro-life” side, but there are a few brave souls who dare contradict them on the basis of scripture). I don’t want anyone to take away from this post that there is no theological merit to having this discussion, or no theological principles (not single Bible verses, but general principles arising from the heart of the Bible, not its pinky toe!) on which to have a faithful discussion. I think there is a faithful discussion to be had, and we are going to have to keep plugging away at it, engaging those with whom we disagree, striving with all our might not to break the eighth commandment by calling into question others’ motives and faithfulness, or the fifth by seeking to “destroy” one another with words...or worse.


But what about that fourth commandment? You know…”Honor your father and mother”? It’s much less provocative and much less likely to grab headlines. But where is the energy and passion for honoring good moms, and seeking to form more of them? Where’s the outcry for raising up daughters who will make good mothers, and who will make good, faithful, and loving choices for their children, both before AND after they are born? Where is the army of lawyers and lobbyists devoted not to the debate about a woman’s choice to give birth, but to giving her the choice to raise children who will actually live an abundant life, have enough food on the table, be likely to graduate high school, be unlikely to get kidnapped into the drug culture, or to get asthma from living in a polluted neighborhood? Where are the business owners who are so devoted to the sanctity of life, that they will allow for fair health benefits, flexible schedules, reasonable maternity (and paternity) leave, and a work environment that supports and works with working moms and dads?


The Bible has an awful lot to say about the sanctity of life, and about personal responsibility, and we do well to pay attention to that. But just as loud and clear rings the voice of societal responsibility for those in need of aid. I think we can reasonably make a connection between the countless Old Testament calls to “care for the widow and the orphan”, and God’s call for us today: that if we’re going to go to bat for the unborn (and why wouldn't we?), that we also go to bat for the moms (and dads) who will bring them into the world, often under tremendously difficult circumstances.


Let’s honor moms this year, and every year, not just with flowers, chocolates and breakfast in bed (although all three are a good idea!) but by making this world a little bit more supportive of a place to be a mom.