By Dr. (Mrs.) Martha Chioma Ibezim
It is a day of celebration for women in the Anglican Communion, worldwide as they celebrate the 2024 Mothering Sunday.
The celebration celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent every year provides an opportunity for women to be celebrated and honored for their selfless roles of child bearing and upbringing, instilling morals, promoting peace and justice. Their very critical roles in raising godly children are appraised while being motivated not to relent in the God-given talent.
their selfless roles of child bearing and upbringing, instilling morals, promoting peace and justice. Their very critical roles in raising godly children are appraised while being motivated not to relent in the God-given talent.
their husbands, fathers, children, wards, mentees also use the opportunity to present them with different gifts to show them love and appreciation for their love, sacrifices, resilience, hard work, patience and perseverance, and commitment to their different families.
Mothers in Anglican Communion use the season for visitations to schools, community children’s and old people’s homes, and the less privileged in the society wherever they are found. They also host social gatherings to dine, dance and reflect on any bothering societal and family issues.
The Anglican Diocese Of Awka has chosen the theme, Walking With God from Genesis Chapter six, versus nine through to eighteen as the focus to be reflected on this year’s Mothering Sunday celebration. It captures Noah’s unshaken faith to walk with God in a generation described as most corrupt and reversed. That generation, in most comparisons, shares similar characteristics with our contemporary generation. So, a call to walk with God at a time like this is an utmost and very necessary injunction.
As a woman, it behoves you to walk according to the directives of God even when the challenges of family look hard and are getting harder. The theme gives hope of tomorrow that no one who walked in God’s paths that will be led to suffer.
Many women are facing marital challenges but the lack of the knowledge of Christ and the fruit of the spirit of patience, they fail to commit these challenges into the hands of God. This year’s Mothering sunday calls on such people to go back to their roots and emulate biblical women who despite all odds stood their grounds and salvaged their people like Queen Esther.
Though raising up a godly home is mainly the duty of the husband and wife, the woman needs to go in-depth as a particular creature to mould, nurture and groom a child to know God’s call and roles for their lives. They must nurture their family into good ambassadors of Christ. When mothers get it proper at home, the society will become a better place, the issues of get-rich-quick syndrome, killings and shedding of blood, prostitution, kidnapping and other ills will not be in the society.
It is important that women open their eyes and see the dangerous and rising trends of paganism. Women must look inwards to identify where they have failed in their role as mothers.
Walking with God means one should surrender solely to him. For women, they should be persistent in prayers, draw more nearer to God who will stand with them at all times. They should respect and honour their husbands. Women that are bread winners of their family should keep supporting and caring for their husbands without disrespecting them. This way they will attract God’s blessings and reward.
Ndi Nne, Happy Mothering Sunday.
Dr. Martha Chioma Ibezim is the President, Women’s Ministry, Province of the Niger and Anglican Diocese of Awka
