Hand that Rocks the Cradle, Rules the World

More than 150 years ago, a poet wrote, “The hand that rocks the cradle is the one that rules the world.” Working moms, stay-at-home moms, single moms, this one’s for you.

History is filled with examples of a mother’s influence. The only child of one influential mother was wild and rebellious in his youth, and became even more wicked as a man. At an early age this boy, John, went to sea with his sea captain father, where he began living a depraved life just like the men he was sailing with.

John later became a cruel captain in the African slave trade. On one voyage he was caught in a severe storm and all aboard thought they would die. The Scriptures John had learned at his mother's knee returned to his mind, and he cried out to Jesus to save him.

The secret of his salvation was that he had had one of God's greatest gifts; a godly, praying mother. She died when he was only seven, but she had filled his mind with God’s Word, she had prayed for him, and her influence never left him.

Thank God for answering that mother’s prayers for her son, John Newton, the writer of that wonderful hymn, Amazing Grace!

Mothers, our work is cut out for us! God’s Word is clear – “Train up a child in the way, God’s way.” And here on the streets of Skid Row, we also have our work cut out for us, rescuing men and women whose mothers were godless. Their lives went straight downhill, because their mothers never taught them God’s Word. Please help us.

Blessings,

Willie Jordan