Happy Mother’s Day to those among us to whom the title applies! Mothers who discharge their responsibilities with love and wisdom are to be praised among women. I thank God for my mother, who brought me up in the truth and is still my example; my wife, who is a loving and perceptive mother to our daughter (and often to me as well); and my mother-in-law, who always just seems to know when and how we need something.

I recall reading a story about a boy who had recently been in hot water over some childhood misdeed. After accepting his mother’s rebuke, the little fellow apologized. “God helps us to be good, if we want to be,” said Mom. “Mothers help, too,” replied the boy. I can attest to that!

Want to be a great mother? Here’s a simple six-point prescription:

1. Model yourself after godly mothers. The Scriptures present many wonderful patterns to follow. Strive to be as humble as Mary, as prayerful as Hannah, as faithful as Sarah, as kind as Ruth, as sacrificial as Jochebed, as courageous as Rahab, as instructive as Eunice and Lois, as wise as the mother of Lemuel, as joyful as Elizabeth. Rise to the challenge of being the kind of person you would want your children to imitate, by imitating these righteous women.

2. Obey the Lord. It’s pointless to try to persuade your children to do what God commands if they don’t see you obeying Him in all you do. As the old axiom goes, “children become what they see.” If you want your children to grow into faithful Christians, they need to see their mother faithfully following Christ. Children come equipped with a powerful hypocrisy detector and are not easily fooled by “do as I say and not as I do” behavior.

3. Teach your children God’s word. Moses instructed the Israelites, “These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). That’s still wise counsel. The world has much to reach your children — you have to get to them first. And notice that word “diligently.” That means “more often than once in a blue moon.”

4. Honor your own parents and husband. If you want your children to respect you, they need to see you show the proper honor to your parents, living or deceased. The principle of Ephesians 6:1-3 has lifelong application. If you want your children to eventually become loving husbands or wives, they need to observe your example in the conduct of your own marriage. Let them see the truth and beauty of Ephesians 5:22-33 at work in your home.

5. Encourage often. Children, like flowers in the garden, need nurturing — watering, feeding, sunlight. Let your children hear that they are loved and valued. Praise their good efforts, and help them learn from their mistakes. Show them that you regard them as a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3).

6. Rebuke when necessary. Don’t be afraid to admonish your children for wrongdoing (Proverbs 13:24; 22:15; 23:13). Correction must be done without breaking the child’s spirit, but if it’s never done at all, the child cannot mature. Respect for the laws of God and society grow out of a healthy respect for the authority of parents in the home.

In the words of the old song, “Put them all together, they spell M-O-T-H-E-R.” Next to “Christian,” it’s the most beautiful title any woman on earth can wear.