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Young Ben was excited.
What a wonderful surprise this would be.
His mother had left him to babysit his younger sister Sally while his mother went out for errands.
He had earlier spotted some colored ink bottles on a shelf and was just waiting for the right time. As soon as his mom was safely out of sight, Ben grabbed and opened the ink bottles. He found some paper.
He began to paint his sister’s portrait. Sally was surprisingly cooperative—and fascinated by the ink bottles. Ben was mighty proud of his work and paid no heed to caution in his exuberance to complete his painting.
When his mother returned home, she was indeed surprised. Ink stains were everywhere—on the floor, the wall, the furniture. They were on Ben—and on Sally.
She said nothing as she surveyed the mess.
Ben held out his masterpiece. As soon as she saw it, his mother instantly broke out in a broad and beautiful smile. “Why, it’s Sally!” she exclaimed. Then she leaned forward and gently kissed Ben’s forehead.
As Ben grew, so did his passion for painting. Native Americans near his home in Pennsylvania showed him how to make paint by mixing clay from the river bank with bear grease in a pot.
He began to paint portraits. Soon, his work was widely heralded. He became good friends with Benjamin Franklin—whose likeness he painted—and gained admirers.
As a young adult he toured Europe, with the beneficence of sponsors who recognized his artistic gifts. While in London, his work was noticed by King George and Ben was commissioned to paint a series of large and elaborate works celebrating English life and history.
Before his distinguished career was over, Benjamin West was elected President of the Royal Academy in England. He taught young aspiring artists how to paint. Among his students were Samuel Morse, Charles Wilson Peale, Rembrandt Peale, Gilbert Stuart, John Trumbull and Thomas Sully—all renowned.
West was considered one of the greatest artists of his time. His painting, The Death of General Wolf, in 1770, gained universal and immortal acclaim. West was Surveyor of the King’s Pictures from 1791 until his death in 1820.
In England, he was known as the “American Raphael.”
For the rest of his life, Benjamin West never forgot that day when, with excitement and pride, he painted Sally’s picture—nor his mother’s response.
“My mother’s kiss made me a painter,” West said.
“A word spoken in due season; how good it is!” (Proverbs 15:23). How wise, how kind, how encouraging. How decisive and life-changing the right word, spoken at the right time, in the right way, can sometimes be.
How much we all need and long for “the soft answer.” Mothers are like that. Caring, compassionate, patient, and loyal.
Paul mentions the fruits of the Spirit in his letter to the Galatians. First on the list is love. It is, among all the attributes of character, the most important. We are nothing without it. Fame, wealth, and power pale in comparison.
Love is a virtue inextricably associated with mothers. It’s the first thought that comes to mind. There is no human emotion—no quality of heart and soul—so strong and resilient, so faithful and persevering; so tender and sacrificial, as a mother’s love for her child.
A mother’s love is unconquerable.
It can withstand the deepest heartbreak and disappointment; the strongest gale of hardship, sickness, or deprivation. Though it may sometimes seem so under the stress and strain of daily living, a mother’s love is never unrequited.
“Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her” (Proverbs 31:28). That day comes. It always does.
Mother’s Day will be a day of joy, gratitude, and celebration. It will also be a day of fond remembrance for many. How much we need to be comforted and encouraged in this challenging and confusing hour for our nation and the world.
God likens his love and comfort for us to a mother’s. “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13). How critical now, in these times, that we remember God’s not forgotten us.
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, and have no compassion on the son of her womb?” God asks. “Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15). Though our Father, God’s love is like a mother’s love. He invites that comparison.
Even after his bold denunciation of the self-righteous corruption of the Pharisees, Jesus wept in tenderhearted regret over Jerusalem:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not!” (Matthew 23:37). As a mother gathers her young, so Jesus loves and longs for us.
The Bible honors mothers. It honors all women.
Sarah laughed—and waited for the promise of a son in her old age. Hagar endured—languishing in the dry desert heat until God took note of her and her son and graciously delivered them.
Rebekah believed—and trusted the hand of God in the struggle of her sons. Jochebed planned—and rescued Moses. Hannah gave—and honored her promise to surrender Samuel to God.
Naomi led—even after losing her husband and two sons to illness. Elizabeth rejoiced—and confirmed in her womb the miraculous sovereignty of God. Mary praised—and humbly thanked God for choosing her.
“All that I am,” said Abraham Lincoln, “or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”
We all owe so much to the loving, strong, and beautiful women in our lives. We must honor them, not just once a year, but every day. They deserve no less.
You and I must never underestimate the transforming power of a mother’s kiss.
Or God’s gift in making it so.
May God bless you and your family.
In His Grace,
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