Thoughtful Bible Verses to Use in a Mother's Day Card

Do you want to write something in a Mother's Day card that conveys love while being somewhat thought provoking? The bible is full of references to mothers and the relationships between mothers, children, and their daughters-in-law. Following is a list of the top ten quotes about being a mother. All passages are from the New International Version (NIV).

1) Genesis 3:20

20 Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.

Interestingly, Eve does not get her name until after she has been tempted by the serpent to eat the forbidden fruit.

2) Exodus 2:1-7

1 Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, 2 and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. 4 His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.

5 Then Pharaoh's daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the river bank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her slave girl to get it. 6 She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. "This is one of the Hebrew babies," she said.

7 Then his sister asked Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?"

The king of Egypt at the time of Moses, Pharaoh, was frightened that the Israelites were going to become too numerous and powerful and overthrow the Egyptians. He ordered that all Hebrew baby boys be killed, but Moses' mother fought to save her son. Moses' sister went to get his mother to be his nurse, so she was able to live with her son.

3) Exodus 20:12

12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

A simple instruction from God found in the Ten Commandments.

4) 1 Kings 3:24-27

24 Then the king said, "Bring me a sword." So they brought a sword for the king. 25 He then gave an order: "Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other."

26 The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king, "Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don't kill him!" But the other said, "Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!"

27 Then the king gave his ruling: "Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother."

This story is often told, but not always credited to King Solomon. Solomon was given the "gift" of a wise and discerning heart. Two women came before him. One of the babies had died and both women were claiming that the living baby was the baby that she had given birth to. Solomon's answer was to cut the baby in two. The woman who asked to have the baby spared and given to the other woman was ruled to be the baby's true mother because she loved the baby enough to let him live, even if it was with another woman.

5) Ruth 1:16-18

16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

The story of Naomi and Ruth is a beautiful story of the love and loyalty between a mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law. Naomi's sons have both passed away, which meant that her daughter-in-law, Ruth, was free to return to her home country and Naomi was encouraging Ruth to do so. Ruth's response to her mother-in-law, Naomi, is unexpected and lovely.

6) 2 Kings 4:30

30 But the child's mother said, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So he got up and followed her.

This verse sums up the love that a mother has for her child.

7) Proverbs 31:28-31

28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Chapter 31 in Proverbs lists the qualities of a good wife, but they also apply to a good mother.

8) Luke 1:38

38"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

This is the simple statement from Mary, the mother of Jesus, after Gabriel has told her that she will give birth even though she is a virgin. Could we all have such blind, innocent and pure faith?

9) Luke 2:48-50

48When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."

49"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" 50But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Every mother has become frustrated with her child at some point, and Mary was no exception. Twelve year old Jesus was in a temple speaking quite eloquently with teachers. His parents did not know where he was and were searching for him. Jesus did not understand their frustration or worry. What mother has not come up against a situation similar to this?

10) 2 Timothy 1:5

5I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

In this letter from Paul to Timothy, Paul is commending Timothy on his faith. This passage reminds us that our faith and traditions are passed from grandmother, to mother, to child.

May God bless you and your family this Mother's Day.