Brothers and Sisters--and Mothers too!

Recently I’ve been captivated by the ABC TV show Brothers and Sisters. I’ve asked myself many times what about the show draws me, for there are some elements of it that I very much dislike and other elements that I find confusing or even dreadful. So what is it? I realized as I was preparing for my day today that there is one thing about the show with which I identify on a personal level…there must be or I wouldn’t be interested at all. I think that writers, producers and directors know what they are doing for sure when they come up with new ideas for television and movie content. They know with what the American public will identify on many levels including political, social, moral as well as on a basic human level. Anyway, as I was saying, I figured it out…it’s the mother.

Mothers mother, that’s what we do. And Nora Walker (played by award-winning actress Sally Field) is no exception. She embodies the loving, caring, nurturing role that a mother has in the lives of her children. In the case of the Walkers, the children are grown, but the job of the mother never ceases. What strikes me about it is how she goes about “mothering” her grown children through their varying stages of life and lifestyles. Some are married, some are single, some are divorced; some have children, some do not; some are democrats, some are republicans; some are living alternative lifestyles. They have dealt with issues such as drug abuse, infertility, rejection, war, adultery, adoption, birth, death and illness. Sounds like a laundry list of issues that we face in the world in which we live, and some of the issues that perhaps some of us face personally, or will face in the future to varying degrees. In spite of all this, Nora never judges or condemns; but always loves without condition. The part that I particularly identify with (as will most of you mothers) is Nora’s continued dedication to being a mother in spite of the responses of her children. Following is a list of the reasons I love Nora.

I love that Nora doesn’t limit her words to what her children want to hear. She says the difficult things. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)

I love how she demonstrates her love for her children in spite of their criticism of her. You know we never used flattery…We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. 1 Thessalonians 2:5-6 (NIV)

I love how she loves her children even through their mistakes or decisions with which she disagrees. [Love] is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

I love how she loves her children without regard for what she may be going through in her own life. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10 (NIV)

I love how she loves her children in spite of their whining and selfishness. Love is patient… 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

I love how Nora knows just what her children need even when they don’t know what they need themselves. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? Luke 11:11-12 (NIV)

I love how she remains involved in the lives of her children, demonstrating that the mother’s love has no boundaries. It [love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)

I love how Nora gives love even when she doesn’t receive love. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. Luke 6:32 (NIV)

I love how she never gives up on those she loves! Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (NIV) …always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1 (NIV)

So what is my point, you may ask? Well, it’s simple. Our children may live their entire lives without offering the recognition or praise or honor that we, as their mothers, feel is due us. We are still their mothers and we still do what mothers do…we mother. This is just the way of things.

So now that we all feel justified in our motherly, meddling ways, let’s turn the table. Each of us is not only a mother (or father. Guys: though you may not relate exactly to my message, there is an application for you as well if you have a mother), but a child as well. Do we groan or roll our eyes when our moms offer advice? How many times have we said, “Mom, it’s none of your business?” Do we honor their input into our lives? Are we allowing our mothers to do what mothers do…love us?

Let's try something new for a change...rather than refuting our mother's influence, from now on, when we hear something we feel is meddling or intrusive or “none of her business” recognize that she is only doing what God designed her to do as a mother and say something like, “Thanks, mom for loving me enough to ….”

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”-which is the first commandment with a promise- “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3 (NIV)

© 2009 by Stephanie French