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I was checking sheep one day during lambing season and noticed our set of quadruplet lambs using their mother as a playground, all vying for a spot standing on their mother’s back. This scene reminded me of my kids all trying find a spot next to my wife, Kim, sitting on the couch; kids wrestling each other on top of Kim and in the process finding it great fun. Oh, what mothers put up with!

Somehow, I can’t picture the ram letting those lambs climb all over him. Something tells me that he would have put those pesky lambs in their place pretty quick, or maybe that’s just how I would react to my kids. No wonder it’s always their mother to whom the kids run when they want comfort! (even if dad is standing next to them) Moms have an amazing ability to comfort their children when they are sick or hurting. That is why in Isaiah 66:13, when the prophet was describing God’s comfort offered to us, he compares it to the comfort of our mothers:

“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you…”

God often shows us glimpses of His love and character through our mothers.

For example, my mother-in-law Dianne, is always looking for gifts that we would like. Even though she had to work very hard to make ends meet as a single mom when she was raising my wife, she generously has given to our family from what she has. God likewise enjoys giving good gifts (James 1:17) to his children.

God’s love for us is unselfish and sacrificial. I have seen that in my wife countless times staying up throughout the night with sick kids or to help kids with homework even though she is exhausted. Kim regularly puts her needs aside and arranges her whole schedule around what our kids need.

God is always available, always there to help, always welcoming; He enjoys our company. My mother has always been willing to drop what she is doing and help, whether it is picking up our kids from practice or helping us put up fence when the sheep get out. She always enjoys spending time with us, and we can tell by her actions that we are her priority. Her love draws the grandkids to her. Likewise, God longs for us to spend time with him, and I believe the great joy of heaven will be that of physically being with Jesus and enjoying his love.

Most of us have stories where we caught glimpses of God’s love and character in our mothers. Let’s take this weekend to thank the mothers around us, to pray for them, and to thank God for our mothers. Even more, let us thank God for his great loving kindness; for it is His goodness that is reflected in the best of our mothers.