Devotional Index

May Devotional

Mean Mother

Proverbs 31:10 —"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."

My Mom, who entered heaven on her 96th year, was widowed when I was 10 years old, and raised me and my 2 younger sisters, alone in a godly home. She was a Proverbs 31 woman. The source of the following essay is unknown, but I trust that it will be a challenge to all mothers who take a stand on moral principles in raising their children to serve our Great God.

I had the meanest mother in the whole world. While other children ate candy for breakfast, I had to have cereal, eggs or toast. When others had cokes and candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich. As you guess, my supper was different from other children's also. But as least I wasn't alone in my suffering, my sister and two brothers had the same MEAN MOTHER AS I DID.

My mother insisted upon knowing where we were at all times. You'd think we were on a CHAIN GANG. She had to know who our friends were and what we were doing. She insisted if we said we'd by gone an hour that we would be gone one hour or less — not one hour and a minute. I am nearly ashamed to admit it, but she actually struck us, not once, but each time we did as we pleased. Can you imagine someone actually hitting a child just because he disobeyed? NOW YOU CAN BEGIN TO SEE HOW MEAN SHE REALLY WAS.

While the other girls were wearing mini-skirts and smoking cigarettes we had to be little grandma's and were called "OLD FASHIONED." Mother would not even let us go to the DRIVE-IN MOVIES. (We couldn't even go to movies at all.) How could she be so MEAN?

The worst is yet to come! We had to be in bed by nine each night and up early the next morning. We couldn't sleep till noon like our friends. So while they slept my mother actually had the nerve to break the CHILD-LABOR LAW. She made us work. We had to wash dishes, make beds, and learn to cook and all sorts of cruel things. I believe she laid awake at night thinking up MEAN things to do to us.

She always insisted upon our telling the truth. The whole truth and nothing but the truth, even if it KILLED us — and it nearly did.

By the time we were teenagers, she was wiser — and our life became even more unbearable. None of this tooting of the car horn by the boy's for us to come running. She has embarrassed us to no end by making our dates and friends come to the door to get us. I forgot to mention, while my friends were dating at the mature age of 12 or 13, my old, mean MOTHER refused to let me date until the age of 15 and 18. Fifteen, that is, if you dated only to a school function. And that was maybe twice a year.

My mother was a complete failure as a mother. None of has ever been arrested, divorced or beaten his mate. Each of my brothers served his time in the service of this country. And whom do we have to blame for the terrible way we turned out? You're right — OUR MEAN MOTHER.

Look what all we missed. We never got to march in a PROTEST PARADE, nor to take a part in a RIOT, burn DRAFT CARDS, or the million and one things that other children did. Instead, she forced us to grow into GOD-FEARING, EDUCATED, HONEST ADULTS.

Using this as a background, I am trying to raise my three children. I stand a little taller and I am filled with pride when my children call me MEAN

Of course you may make personal applications as it fits your personal situation.

May God give us God fearing, Christ loving mothers who do their best to teach their children in righteousness, godliness and holiness before God.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up and call her blessed her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. — Prov. 31:26-31.

Now that you have read this devotional, may you be challenged in your personal spiritual walk and relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. This begins by putting trust, by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of your soul.

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; — Rom 3:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. — Rom. 6:23
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us — Rom. 5:8
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved — Rom 10:13

If you are in need of spiritual help or advice, please contact us.

— Dr. Gene Green
Executive Director for Baptists for Life of Wisconsin