Some may say that Mother’s Day is the pinnacle of “Hallmark” holidays. It is a time for card designers, candy makers and flower shops to profit from an obligatory day set aside to honor your mother through some token tribute of your love. But did you know that Mother’s Day actually began as a church service to honor mothers? In fact, in the early years after the establishment of Mother’s Day the very lady responsible for the idea was arrested for protesting the commercialization that had grown up around it.

While some European countries have traced the holiday back to Roman roots, the truth is that the modern American holiday of Mother’s Day is largely credited to Anna Jarvis. As early as 1870, she was advocating for mothers to band together to promote international peace. By 1907, the year her mother died, Jarvis helped to plan the first Mother’s Day church service in Grafton, West Virginia. She led the effort to promote the newfound holiday and in just four years every U.S. state had adopted it. By 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a national proclamation designating Mother’s Day as the second Sunday of May.

Soon thereafter, Hallmark and other card companies began selling Mother’s Day cards. Selling carnations became associated with the day and candy makers got in on the action as well. Jarvis argued that people should appreciate and honor their mothers through handwritten letters expressing their love and gratitude instead of buying gifts and pre-made cards. She held this so passionately that by the early 1920’s she organized protests at a candy makers convention and other places where the commercialization of the holiday was being promoted. In 1925 the very lady who organized the first Mother's Day celebration was arrested for disturbing the peace.

I realize that not everyone had a good role model in their life and that not everyone still has their mother with them. For those of you who still have a mother in your life, I’m all for honoring her in some special way. But instead of thinking on her tireless work ethic or her unconditional love, have you considered how your mother has contributed to your faith? It is important to recognize this contribution your mother has made in your life. For the young Pastor Timothy in the first century, both his mother and grandmother were instrumental in shaping his faith.

Paul recognized the “unfeigned faith” found in Timothy. Timothy’s faith was in the gospel of Jesus Christ. He recognized his need for salvation and to have his sins forgiven. His relationship with God came from Christ alone and not by his own works. Who taught him to have this faith? His mother and grandmother did. They passed it on to him. Oftentimes, mothers are the ones who are best equipped to pass their faith down to their children.

But Timothy’s faith wasn’t just lip service. Paul says that his faith is “unfeigned”. This word means to be genuine or sincere. There was no hypocrisy in his faith. His faith was true and heartfelt. Again, where did Timothy see that unfeigned faith modeled for him? In his mother and grandmother. It is clear that Paul gives Timothy’s mother credit for modeling a sincere faith that would undergird Timothy and equip him to lead the early church.

What does all this mean for us? First, if you are a mother you need to realize the impact your faith is having on your children. You are instrumental in demonstrating to them what true love, devotion, and genuine faith in Christ really look like. Don’t give up. Be consistent. Show your children the truth about God in how you conduct your life. This is the greatest gift you can give to your kids.

Second, if you have had a mother who demonstrated her faith to you, what have you done with it? Nobody ever made it to heaven on their mother’s faith. You have to make it your own. Once you have that faith for yourself, you should expect to be used by God in His service. Perhaps God is calling you, like Timothy, to serve Him in some type of ministry. The best gift you can give your mother may be to follow the Lord’s leading and by faith allow Him to use your life in His service. I’m not saying to forego the chocolates or flowers or cards, but the greatest gift you can give your mother is to have an unfeigned faith and to give your gifts to the Lord. She would be blessed to know that her model of faith was instilled in you – just like Timothy!

References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day