Rededicate Series

Recently, the New York Times ran an article entitled, “America’s Mothers Are in Crisis: Is Anyone Listening to Them?” As part of their research, they set up a “Primal Scream Line” for mothers across the country to call and leave a one-minute message. Hundreds of moms responded with shouts, cries, guttural screams, and lots of expletives. I listened to many of these messages. Here are a few…

• I’m doing my sixth load of laundry today!

• There is just so much talking. Talking all the time. All day long. Words. Words. Words. So much talking. I just, I need no more talking. No more words. I need no more. No more. So much talking. I just need silence. Please. Silence!

• Maybe I’m not cut out to be a mother!

• All I hear all the livelong day is ‘Mom, mom, MOM! Mom, MOMMMM,

MOM, mom!! MoM, mommommommom, MOMMM!!’ Aaaaah!!

• I don’t know how to feel sane again. I’m stuck in this position for God knows how much longer!

Moms, its ok to scream because God hears you. It’s my prayer you will be reminded of this truth: You are not stuck but are in a position to fulfill God’s purposes.

We’re continuing in our series called “Re.” We began with Resurrection on Easter Weekend. Two weeks ago, Jason Crosby helped us see our need for Renewal. Last weekend, Pastor Kyle and the student ministry urged us to seek Revival.

Our topic today is Rededicate.

• In the Bible, “dedicate” means, “to initiate or inaugurate consecration.” It has the idea of setting apart persons or things to God. One example is found in Leviticus 22:2: “Speak to Aaron and his sons so that they abstain from the holy things of the people of Israel, which they dedicate to me, so that they do not profane my holy name: I am the LORD.” In addition, “dedicate” refers to “training up,” like a parent is to do according to Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go…”

• The prefix “re” means, “to return something to its original state, to experience again by repetition.”

It’s my prayer for God to use His Word to help mothers, and all of us, to become rededicated to His plans and purposes. We could state it like this: Regardless of your role, rededicate yourself to God’s redemptive purposes.

While Mother’s Day is happy for many, for others, your mother is no longer here. Or maybe you have a rough relationship with your mom, and you struggle with all the syrupy sentiments in Hallmark cards. Perhaps your mom is very sick, and you wonder how much longer she’s going to be with you. Maybe you’re a single dad hurting for your kids as you watch them struggle. Some of you have experienced the devastating loss of a child through abortion, a miscarriage, or through an untimely death.

There are mothers here who wish they didn’t have kids and I know there are women who would give anything just to have a child. Others of you are grieving the direction your prodigal child is taking. Many moms are gripped with guilt and swimming in shame because they think they’re not doing a good job. Some of you are searching for equilibrium in your role as a foster mom or a stepmom. In addition, some of you are flying solo as you work hard to nurture your child’s faith without the support of the child’s dad.

Let me be quick to say if you aren’t married or don’t have children, you are not inferior. Womanhood is not only about marriage and children. Your worth goes far beyond your marital status or whether you have kids.

I want to give a “shout-out” to those of you who are raising young children. Some of you are battling bedtimes and wondering when all the whining is going to stop. You’re juggling schedules, running on emotional empty, and feel like screaming. Many of you are living out Proverbs 31:15: “She rises while it is yet night…”

It’s not my intention to add to your struggles as a mom, because many of you are already overwhelmed. According to a study from 2021, 93% of mothers feel burned out, at least occasionally.

Would you take a deep breath and listen to these comforting words from the Good Shepherd in Isaiah 40:11? “He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in his arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” May you know the sweet gentleness of the Shepherd as He leads you to love the little lambs in your care.

Please turn to the Book of Deuteronomy. Let’s set the scene. The people of God have been doing laps in the wilderness for 40 years and are now ready to enter Wisconsin, I mean, the Promised Land. The generation which had disobeyed has died and now “generation next” is on the scene.