James E. Faust once said about mothers, "The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation." If you Google quotes about mothers you will find more than you could ever read. The truth of the matter is every one on this planet has one. That fact will never fade away.

The Bible teaches us that a mother was the greatest daily example that all children experienced. During those times, women were the primary caregiver and influencer in a child's life. Proverbs 31 tells us that an ideal mother was one who was in control of her dealings inside and outside of the home and she was forever making here husband and children proud.

We are told of a young man in the Bible by the name of Timothy who is known especially for his upbringing. The Bible tells us he was raised and inspired by his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois (2 Timothy 1:5). The Apostle Paul once talked about this relationship as he was encouraging him in the ministry.

2 To Timothy, my dearly loved son. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day. 4 Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy, 5 clearly recalling your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois, then in your mother Eunice, and that I am convinced is in you also.

These women are known even today for their influence on one of the most influential pastors in the Bible. Although we don’t know very much about Timothy’s mother Eunice, except that she was married to a Greek man (Acts 16:1), we do know that the Apostle Paul admired Timothy for his great biblical training (2 Timothy 3:15). This, the Bible says, is attributed to his mother and grandmother. They established Timothy in the faith. God was able to use Timothy in a mighty way because of his mother and grandmother.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every child thought of their mother the way the Bible describes mothers? Illustration: I heard this saying once. “To a four-year-old, mommy can do anything. To an eight-year-old, Mom sure knows a lot! To a twelve-year-old, mom doesn’t know much of anything. To a sixteen-year-old, it’s not even worth asking mom, she doesn’t know. To an eighteen-year-old, mom is way out of date. To a twenty-five-year-old, mom just might know a thing or two. To a thirty-five-year-old, it’s probably best to consult mom on this issue. To a fifty-year-old, some wish they could consult mom. To a seventy-year-old, they often wonder what mom would have said about this.” The reality of all this is that children often grow in the stages of how they feel about their mom. But a mother is definitely worth consulting at every stage of life.

I want to include all of us here today but especially moms, grandmothers, and ladies. What kind of influence and legacy are you leaving in the lives of your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, Sunday school class, and the next generation?

Your influence is much greater and broader than you will ever realize. Think about these mothers in the Bible. Moses’s mother – Jochebed (she was bold and courageous enough to take a risk so that Moses could live (Numbers 26:59; Exodus 2:3). Moses would eventually be one of Israel’s greatest and most faithful leaders. It was his mom who protected him. Hannah – she begged and pleaded with God to give her a child and promised to give him right back to God when she conceived. Hannah kept her promise, and Samuel her son would end up leading Israel in some of its finest moments (1 Samuel 1:9-18). Jesus mother – Mary (she had faith in God to believe that although she was a virgin, she would conceive the very Son of God; the Savior of the world! (Luke 1:26-27). Do you recognize the influence you have? What will you do with it?

There is not just one perfect person out there who represents being a great mom or woman. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to be a stay-at-home mom; you don’t have to be a working mom; you don’t have to be a married mom, widowed mom or divorced mom or a mom at all for God to use you. God can do anything with anyone who is fully set apart to serve Him.