I grew up during a time when many people were not far from the kingdom (unlike most of today’s society). My mother, Irene Redden, was one of those people. Though she did not know the pure gospel during my growing-up years, my mother taught me many biblical principles which have served me well, even before I obeyed the gospel. I want to share some of those things with you.

My mother taught me to believe in God. There was never a moment of doubt in my mind that He exists. Though my early years were not spent in formal worship, she conveyed to me a reverence for the Lord and the Bible. Since then, we have enjoyed many times of worship in the Lord’s assembly together.

My mother taught me to be honest. Lying and stealing were not permitted. My siblings and I knew that these acts were wrong. I believe that this prepared my heart for an acceptance of the gospel when I learned it. Keeping a child honest, keeps his heart more tender and receptive to truth.

My mother’s love for flowers and nature continues to teach me to appreciate the beauty of God’s creation (Ps. 19:1). What a bland world it would be without flowers! It is with a grateful heart that I can look into the face of a dahlia and remember those dinner-plate size blooms that graced our humble garden when I was a child. Though sadly abused, our earthly dwelling place still evidences the artistic hand of God.

My mother taught me how to do laundry! You may say, what’s the big deal? Well, since there are now articles out about how e-coli bacteria have been found in washing machines, and on clothing, even after it has been washed and dried, it may very well be a big deal. But that isn’t the point.

My mother had to wash diapers on a rub board for a period of time. Nevertheless, she was determined that her babies’ diapers were thoroughly cleaned and sparkling white. (Disposables did not exist in those days!) She used a wringer washer for many years after that. I remember laundry days – and the bleach water that sanitized and whitened those cotton whites. However, I am speaking about something I learned that is more than throwing clothes into a washing machine. I learned that a job worth doing is worth doing right. Even with the extra effort it took, she would never have shoved all the clothes she could into that wringer washer so tightly that the agitator would almost have come to a smoking stop!

There is a biblical principle that is appropriate. The apostle Paul said, "Whatsoever you do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord" (Col. 3:23-24). Too many people do shoddy work. We experience it in every day life. Insurance workers, dental receptionists, etc., often cause us loss of time because of their lack of dedication to doing a good job. Fewer people are diligent in the way they use their time, not caring that they are depriving their employer of income or productivity. Slothfulness is commonplace (cf. Prov. 6:6-11).

My mother’s impact was significant. Out of four children, not one could be called lazy! My mother taught me to respect my husband and the work he does to provide for his family. She had a hot meal ready for my father when he came in after a long day’s work. There was never a big discussion about whether she would provide her family with a good dinner. Even when funds were too meager for meat, we could enjoy a meal of pinto beans, cornbread and a cold glass of milk, and be happy to have that. She always carefully ironed his starched, cotton khaki work clothes (not perma-press!). He never had to come in at the end of a long work day and wearily wonder if he would have to prepare his own dinner or get work clothes ready for the next day’s labor. I never remember my mother telling me what I ought to do to be a help to my husband in his work (Gen. 2:18, Titus 2:4-5). Her example was loud and clear.

When we care enough to do a good job as the chief executive of homemaking, our good husbands will look forward to coming home. His mind will not be clouded with worries over the way children are cared for throughout the day. Such a wife gives her mate the gift of time to prepare a Bible lesson, to spend quality time with the children and to take care of heavy chores. He will be thankful that the queen of his life happily treats him royally.

My mother taught me a sense of modesty, and moral behavior. Today, we are like the proverbial frog that has been heated to the point of boiling without knowing it. We have absorbed the culture around us without realizing that we have become saturated with many things that are not biblical. The Bible teaches us to dress, speak and behave modestly (1 Tim. 2:9; 1 Pet. 3:1). (cf. "Sense and Sensibilities" on this site.)

My mother taught me a love for learning. When she was a young wife, she bought a book and taught herself to crochet, to sew, and to do other crafts. She loves to read and learn new things. She still enjoys reading poetry, history and biographies of Alexander Campell, T.B. Larimore, Abraham Lincoln and other great men and women. She studies her Bible, and thinks about biblical things. She has a good religious library of her own.

My mother taught me to love my children. I have a print of a mother tiger with her cub. The reason I bought this inexpensive picture is that it represents to me the love of my mother, and my own – a love that will sacrifice, fiercely defend, and tenderly care for its offspring. Is it possible that one of the reasons there are so many sad people, so many out-of-sorts teen-agers, so many horrific crimes committed is because children are growing up without knowing the dedicated love of a good mother? How can our children know we love them? I always believed my mother loved me. But it wasn’t because of the gifts she gave me. If all we give our children are gifts, they will not know love.

My mother has and does teach me about endurance. She has not had an easy life. September brings the third anniversary of my eldest brother’s passing into eternity to be with the Lord. Probably of all the pains she has endured, this has been the worst. Yet, she has not lost her faith. She fights the tears, and understands the effort she must continue to make to grapple with the problem of suffering and loss. So, she endures in faith – with this sadness, and others that she has coped with through the years. Sometimes she feels that she is weak in these matters, when actually she is strong. Strength isn’t the absence of feelings. So she presses on with hope and looks forward to the reunion with loved ones who have left us already.

Honor unto whom honor is due (Rom. 13:7). I wanted to honor my mother by telling you about her. But even more, my desire is that she can teach you these biblical principles, through the things she has taught me.

Let us take a fresh look at our roles as women, both in the home and the church. How important is homemaking, and loving our families? It is so important that the cause of Christ will be blasphemed if we fail in our God-given responsibilities (Tit. 2:3-5). In contrast, God will be glorified when we excel (Mt. 5:13-16). Let us be praised for our work, that the cause of Christ be exalted (Prov. 31:29-31).