The Mother's Opportunity There is a God above, and the light and glory from His throne rests upon the faithful mother as she tries to educate her children to resist the influence of evil. No other work can equal hers in importance. She has not, like the artist, to paint a form of beauty upon canvas, nor, like the sculptor, to chisel it from marble. She has not, like the author, to embody a noble thought in words of power, nor, like the musician, to express a beautiful sentiment in melody. It is hers, with the help of God, to develop in a human soul the likeness of the divine. MH 377.1 The mother who appreciates this will regard her opportunities as priceless. Earnestly will she seek, in her own character and by her methods of training, to present before her children the highest ideal. Earnestly, patiently, courageously, she will endeavor to improve her own abilities, that she may use aright the highest powers of the mind in the training of her children. Earnestly will she inquire at ev…
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
The EGW passage directly discusses developing the 'likeness of the divine' in children, which is a clear echo of the concept of humans being created in God's image as described in Genesis 1:27. The mother's role is presented as facilitating this development.
"And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
Ephesians 4:24 speaks of putting on the 'new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.' The EGW passage speaks of developing in a human soul the likeness of the divine. Both passages connect to the idea of humans striving to reflect God's character, making this a valid thematic parallel.