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Family Matters

Whistler’s Mother

By Charlotte H. Burkholder

Known for her somber pose, Whistler’s Mother may seem irrelevant to moms today. But closer study reveals lessons in excellent parenting.

Mothers have the privilege of praying for their children. James McNeill Whistler’s mother gave the greatest gift a mother can give to her children. As her son painted, she sat patiently for long hours and prayed. Although she felt old and useless, she blessed her son immeasurably through her prayers, focusing on her chance to present her son’s needs before God. Jesus invited us to bring our children to Him. Mothers who choose to do so can change the course of their children’s lives.

Mothers minister to their children by showing their weaknesses. Sometimes moms feel like it’s necessary to “put on a good front” for their kids. We want to be strong for them and protect them from being disappointed in our weaknesses. In the famous painting, Whistler’s Mother appears frail and sad. Her youthful energy is gone. When her son asked to paint a portrait of her, she attempted to dress up for him, but her health failed her and she didn’t have the energy to prepare for the sitting. She asked her son to paint her like she was, in ordinary, everyday clothes. We see her, then, as she really was without the finery that may have covered up her weariness. Mothers willing to be themselves with their children give them the gift of authenticity.

Mothers can give their children the gift of unconditional love. Anna Whistler moved from America to London to live with her artist son when she was almost 60 years old. She found James living a flamboyant Bohemian lifestyle and cavorting with friends and artists of “scandalous reputations.” But she didn’t condemn or criticize him, instead choosing to show him love and support as he changed his life. Praying mothers can give their children unconditional love with God’s help.

Whistler’s Mother serves as a reminder of the opportunities every mother has to enrich her children’s lives and point them to Jesus. Mothers are never too old or too young to give these priceless gifts and we have God’s assurance that He has a special plan for each mother to influence the lives of her children.

CHARLOTTE H. BURKHOLDER has written for The Secret Place, Celebrate Life, Evangel and other publications. A mother of four married children and grandmother of 10, she lives in Virginia with her husband.