May 7, 2009
Translated by Lydia Ma

A Chinese author once wrote a story about a trainer who saw a wounded young eagle that had fallen from a tree. Because he loved eagles, the trainer picked up the young eagle and began to teach it how to fly and hunt. His goal was to transform this ordinary eagle into the highest and farthest flying bird. At the end of the story, the trainer removed the blinders from the eagle's eyes and released it into the sky. The eagle, relishing the fresh air and its newfound freedom, flew away and disappeared into the vast and blue sky above.

I was really touched after reading this story. As a parent in this challenging day and age, we are called to be trainers who will teach and guide our children how to fly. Mothers play an especially important role in building and molding a child's life.

Mothers are examples of God's love and they play a crucial role in bringing their children before God. As we celebrate the heroism displayed by every mother during this Mother's Day, I can't help but be reminded of the huge inheritance and responsibility God has bestowed on mothers and, once again, bring my children before God in surrender.

Parents today tend to be over-protective of their children by doing everything for them. However, every stage in life is filled with lessons to be learned so that we can mature. When parents are over-protective, they deprive their children from learning these important lessons and growing in maturity and strength. Like butterflies that rely on the struggle out from their cocoons to crystallize their beauty and strength, children undergo a similar process as they mature into adulthood.

Therefore, it is necessary for parents to release their hold on their children to a reasonable extent. As parents consider how to lead their children in this world and prevent them from lagging behind, many are filled with fear and worry inside. Parents who wish to release their worries must surrender their children into God's hands and let God take over. This is ultimately the best thing we can do.

The Apostle John wrote, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." (3 John 4). To help our children live in freedom, we must teach them to walk with God. This is the only way for a mother to feel genuine joy and contentment in her heart when thinking about her children.

We believe that every life comes from God. Mothers are crucial participants in God's creation design and they have been given an important mission, which is to educate their children into becoming men and women who will please God. Mothers fulfill this role best and our love is made complete when we surrender our children to God and teach them to walk in God's ways.

However, we often fall short of being good role models as mothers and relegate our responsibilities to cram schools, baby-sitters, or other institutions. We do not spend enough time and energy in solidifying our children's faith and allow their religious upbringing to lag behind.

As we celebrate Mother's Day, let us not only thank God for our mothers who have given us a glimpse of God's love, but also reflect on whether we, as mothers, have given our best in responding to God's call. What have we given our children? Knowledge? Education? Wealth? Our companionship? And have we given them the best foundation they could have for their lives – their faith? Have we brought them before the Lord?

May the Holy Spirit strengthen all mothers with wisdom, love, and respect for the Lord. May God guide all mothers as they teach their children about God and how to walk in God's ways. May all mothers feel incomparable joy and encouragement as they see their children walk in God's truth.

Taiwan Church News