The Mother's Opportunity by Mrs. M. A. Wheeler

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 4, 1915

The Mother's Opportunity

By Mrs. M. A. Wheeler

MRS. M. A. WHEELER

“O, IF I could only have my children back again, little children around me, or how differently I should do!” The sad lament of this broken-hearted mother, who realized that the lost years could never be recalled, that her God-given privileges and opportunities had gone forever, was uttered many years ago. It has rung in my ears ever since, and has often startled me into a greater realization of how important and precious are the hours of childhood, when father and mother constitute the children's little world, and when their hearts are so receptive that it is the mother's golden opportunity to mold and fashion them for the Master.

The mother in question was a good woman; and there are many who, like her, place their household duties, their own dress and that of their children, their social obligations, first, the children receiving only the fragments of time left over when everything else is done.

In her desire to have her house immaculate, free from litter and noise, this mother sent her children forth to play on the street; and when they came to her with their little joys and sorrows, they were told “Run away,” or, “Don't bother; I am in a hurry.” And so she sent them forth, little realizing that in a twofold sense she was sending them from her. And so the years sped on, and too late she awoke to the realization that she no longer shared their confidences, that they had turned to others for sympathy and counsel, others whose influence had led them farther and farther from home, purity, and noble living.

I knew a busy mother, who amid all the cares and burdens of home—and they were many, for she was early left a widow with a large family—often gathered her children around her, especially at the bedtime hour, and talked with them of Jesus, and how he loved little children, and laid his hands upon them in blessing. She told them Bible stories, and sang with them the beautiful songs they loved, and tucked them into bed with their little minds and hearts filled with beautiful thoughts and a longing desire to “be good and please Jesus.” I am convinced that this custom adhered to will make a great difference in the dispositions of the children. It is a sad sight to see a little child sobbing in its sleep, having been punished and sent to bed, usually to awaken “all out of sorts.”

Scientists tell us that the brain is more or less active for some time after sleep enfolds us, and that the thoughts, feelings, and emotions that are dominating the mind just before we lose consciousness, go on making impressions on the brain. As this is especially true of children, therefore the importance of the children's bedtime hour cannot be overestimated in its far-reaching results upon the character and lives of our children, and the mother who can accomplish this through all the busy years has done much to insure the future welfare of her children, for both time and eternity.

As the children grew older, the same loving interchange of thought and confidence continued. The mother stepping softly in to the bedsides of her big boys and girls, and sitting by them, talking over the experiences of the day, their friends, their plans, learned what was uppermost in their minds, and in these good-night talks saw deeper into the hearts and lives of her children than at any other time, knowing what influences were entering into their lives, knowing how to help and encourage them in high and noble living, averting any possible dangers that threatened them, and leaving impressions that were felt through all their years.

Some time ago, at the close of a mothers' meeting where I had been presenting some of these thoughts, a woman came up to me with the tears running down her cheeks, saying: “I am one of those mothers who did not realize, and now my children are all gone from me into the world. They are not Christians. They will not listen to me now. They will be lost. What shall I do?” There are many mothers like the one just mentioned; for often, in our Christian work in the homes of the people and elsewhere, we hear the same regrets expressed in one way or another. We would refer these dear mothers to the promises found in Joel 2:12, 25, where the Lord says if we turn to him with all our hearts, he will restore unto us the years that the locusts have eaten. To all of us this promise comes with help and comfort. Let us all awake. It is high time. Satan has come down in great power, knowing that his time is short, and as the spirit of prophecy has told us, is working especially to ensnare our children and youth. We are fighting for the lives of our children, not merely for that life which is like “a vapor,” but for that eternal life that measures with the life of God. And “we wrestle not against flesh and blood;” but he has said, “Be strong and of a good courage, . . . for the Lord thy God . . . will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” With him we have all; and when at last we shall see our Saviour coming in the clouds of heaven in power and great glory, what rejoicing will be ours if we each can look up and say, “Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me.”

“A little hand within My own I hold,— More precious 'tis than Silver, gems, or gold,— “A darling little hand, That clings to mine. O, loving, trustful eyes That softly shine! “You look to me For all that love can give, Will look to me as long As both shall live. “One gracious boon, O blessed Lord, I ask: O give me wisdom, Fit me for the task “Of safely guiding little feet Into the narrow way, That we be gathered home, To realms of endless day.”