May 13, 2018
Morning Service

Motherhood can indeed be a very thankless job and one that no class, video, or amount of training will ever truly prepare you for.  I am sure there are moments that a mother herself in desperation at least thinks, “this is not what I signed up for.”  She is on call 24/7 and never really gets to the point in the day where there is nothing to do.  Raising children is one of the most challenging things to do on every level; physical, emotional and even spiritual.  In today’s world where most mothers have to work a whole new set of challenges arises.  I specifically think of those who are teachers or work with kids all day and then come home and have to be able to have enough left over to be a good mother to their own children. It takes a special, God given, self-sacrificing love that comes as natural as breathing.  It cannot really be fully explained or understood but it is clearly displayed by a mother caring for her child.  Sounds very difficult and it is, but in a strange way I envy you.  I believe a mother best understands how much our Heavenly Father truly loves us because a mother’s love for her child is as close as we come to defining how God loves us.

Mothers today we honor you, but I also have two challenges for you and all the ladies present to embrace the role God has been given you in this world and flourish at doing it.  What does that look like?  Solomon described a virtuous woman in Proverbs 31.

 

Proverbs 31:10-31 Who can find a woman of virtue? For her value is far above rubies.  (11)  The heart of her husband trusts safely in her, so that he shall have no need of plunder.  (12)  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.  (13)  She seeks wool and flax, and works willingly with her hands.  (14)  She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar.  (15)  She also rises while it is still night, and gives food to her household, and a share to her young women.  (16)  She considers a field, and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.  (17)  She binds her loins with strength, and makes her arms strong.  (18)  She sees that her merchandise is good; her lamp does not go out by night.  (19)  She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.  (20)  She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.  (21)  She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.  (22)  She makes herself coverings; her clothing is silk and purple.  (23)  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.  (24)  She makes fine linen and sells it, and delivers girdles to the merchants.  (25)  Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.  (26)  She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  (27)  She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.  (28)  Her sons rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.  (29)  Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.  (30)  Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.  (31)  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

·        My first challenge to you is not to measure yourself against this woman described in these verses.  I am not sure any one woman could do all these things.  I challenge you to use these verses as a personal inspiration to be all you can be.  Ask God to grant you wisdom and strength to fulfill whatever roll you find yourself in now and to do it well. He created, designed and gifted you to do this. I do challenge those of you with young families to invest heavily in your children; taking time to teach them the ways of the Lord redeeming the short time you have with them.  Being an example to them of what God has called you to be and showing them what a Christ followers home looks like.

·        Paul wrote to Titus and gave him this to teaching for the women to follow and it is also my second challenge to you.

Titus 2:3-5  Let the older women likewise be in reverent behavior, not slanderers, not enslaved by much wine, teachers of good;  (4)  that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,  (5)  to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, subject to their own husbands, that the Word of God may not be blasphemed.

·        Motherhood does not only apply to your own children.  It does take a village to raise a child especially when that child will one day be a mother.  There is wisdom you have been taught or learned that needs to be shared with the next generation.  They need your help because the world is pointing them in a totally opposite direction.  God is instructing you to do this so do it as an act of worship and obedience to Him.  It is one of the functions you ladies have in the body of Christ.  “If you Love Me, keep my commandments.”  (John 14:15)

·        My second challenge then is this to find someone to mentor and invest in their lives.  Be a friend, an encourager and even a second mother to them to help them to understand and enjoy the life God has planned for them.  He has so much more to offer than the world, and it is up to you help share that.  Also look for someone older than yourself to seek out and be a second mother to you supporting all that you are trying to do.  If you feel alone or discouraged, seek out these relationship to fulfill your calling from God.  Life is better when we do it together.

 

Today is a day that we have set aside to honor our mother.  We all get her cards, gifts or even flowers and she loves it.  She didn’t ask for this day, but she does deserve it.  But is one day enough?  How can all we owe to her and our true feelings be summed up in a card or a gift; it can’t even scratch the surface.  What does she really want from us?  What can we do to truly express to her how much we love and appreciate her?  Here is more advice from Solomon in the Book of Proverbs.

 

  Proverbs 23:22-25 Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.  (23)  Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.  (24)  The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.  (25)  Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.

·        In my experience, this Proverb rings so very true.  Nothing brings more joy to a mother than to see her children following the path that the scriptures have laid out for them and faithfully following Christ.   The only thing that would perhaps top that is to see her children teaching her grandchildren to follow the same path.

·        Do you want to make your mother rejoice not only today, but also every day? Make wise choices in your life; choose truth, wisdom, instruction and understanding.

 

Remember when I said that I believe a mother’s love for her child is as close as we can come to understanding God’s love for us?  Isn’t it also true that when we make good choices it not only makes our mother rejoice, but also our Heavenly Father?  I challenge all of you to not only seek to live a life that would please your mother, but also one that your Heavenly Father would be pleased with.  God has placed you right where you are today in the situation you are in.  The choices you make need to be chosen through faith and what would be please our Lord.  You will find peace, joy and contentment in that choice.  

 

Heavenly Father, thank You for all the mothers You have blessed us with, please bless, encourage, inspire, and strengthen them to live up to the challenges ahead.