[010] A Message From A Poem - A Tribute To Our Mothers - Mothers' Day

[010] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - A TRIBUTE TO OUR MOTHERS - MOTHERS' DAY

I was asked to write a poem for Mothers’ Day and this is it. I forget the context of it now but it had something to do with a children’s group in a church.

ORIGINS AND IMPLICATIONS OF MOTHERS’ DAY

The origins, significance and history of Mother’s Day in the United States are deeply intertwined with the nation’s history and social movements following the American Civil War. Ann Reeves Jarvis, a notable peace activist and community organizer, laid the foundation for what would become Mother’s Day through her creation of “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs.” These clubs were crucial in fostering reconciliation among divided communities by focusing on shared concerns such as public health and the welfare of children.

Through her efforts, including a massive letter-writing campaign to politicians, business leaders, and women’s groups, President Woodrow Wilson officially declared the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day in 1914.

Mother’s Day, a special occasion dedicated to honoring and celebrating mothers and motherhood, has a rich history rooted in various traditions and cultures around the world. The story of Mother’s Day begins in the United States in the early 20th century, but its origins can be traced back to ancient festivals and the Christian tradition of “Mothering Sunday.”

The roots of Mother’s Day intertwine with traditions far older than the holiday as it is recognized today, tracing back to ancient civilizations that venerated motherhood through various deities and festivals. It has roots also in paganism.

JARVIS DECRIES COMMERCIALIZED MOTHER’S DAY

Ironically, as Mother’s Day grew in popularity, it also became highly commercialized, a development that deeply troubled Anna Jarvis. She had envisioned the day as an intimate occasion for expressing love and gratitude towards mothers, primarily through handwritten letters and personal gestures. The shift towards buying pre-made cards, flowers, and gifts, in her view, undermined the holiday’s true meaning. Jarvis spent the latter part of her life opposing the commercialization of Mother’s Day, even initiating lawsuits against organizations that used the name “Mother’s Day” for profit.

MOTHERS AND THE GOSPELS

That’s enough of history. Mothers are special in the bible, I suppose no more important recorded than Mary who became a mother in the stable – {{Luke 2:6-7 “It came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth and she gave birth to her first-born son, and she wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.”}}

I just did a search for “mother” in the Gospels and there are so many counts of the word found there.

This is a well-know story – {{Matthew 19:13 “Then some CHILDREN were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray and the disciples rebuked them.”}}

{{Luke 18:15-16 “They were bringing even THEIR BABIES to Him so that He might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them, but Jesus called for them saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”}}

Luke tells the same story but calls them babies, obviously brought to Jesus by the mothers. We speak about a mother’s love and care but mothers are so important in training the child in the ways of the Lord. Just look at this verse – {{2Timothy 1:5 “I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.”}}

May the Lord bless every mother who seeks to train her children in righteousness.

A TRIBUTE TO OUR MOTHERS

Who fed me after I was born?

Who kept me safe and warm?

Who hugged me close to comfort me,

In darkness and through storm?

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Who read to me from simple books,

And happy stories told?

Who clothed me well that I felt not,

The burning heat or cold?

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Who washed my dirty face and hands?

Who taught me to behave?

When I fell over who was there,

From injury to save?

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Who takes me to the sporting field

And to the shops to buy?

To ballet and to music too,

And urges me to try?

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How often do we stop to think

How much our mothers do?

For all our lives they’ve cared for us,

And loved us as we grew.

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Because our mothers always have

Been with us through the years,

Do we take them all for granted,

And cause them many tears?

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Our mothers love us with a love

That gives the best for us;

Deny themselves what they could have,

But over us they fuss.

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A mother’s love is very strong

And asks just two small things -

To love her back and say, “Thank you.”

What joy to mum that brings!

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When Mother’s Day arrives this year,

Be very sure to say,

“I love you, mum, for all you’ve done.”

Make this her special day!

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8 May 2000 R E Ferguson 8-6-8-6 ABCB