A Motherly Model

A Motherly Model

John 2:1-11

May 14, 2006

As a male Pastor, I am always intimidated by this day we call Mother’s day. And as a husband, I am a bit intimidated by this day. This day we call Mother’s Day intimidates me as a male Pastor and as a husband because nothing that I can say, do, write or give even comes close to recognizing the role you moms play in the lives of those who find themselves under your influence.

As a Pastor, I am a bit afraid of this day because this day, when we focus our eyes and hearts on our Moms, is for some of you a difficult day. You perhaps didn’t have the greatest mom or you perhaps didn’t grow up with a mom. Or you have wanted to be a mom but due to being single or do to infertility issues this dream wasn’t or has yet to be fulfilled.

This day can be a hard day. It can bring with it a myriad of emotions. And yet I think it is important that we talk about Moms this day. I think it is necessary to talk about Motherhood for our culture seems to be threatening the very understanding of it. If ever there was a need to recognize mom, we are in that season.

So this male pastor and this husband will seek to do just that. And I ask in advance your forgiveness ladies for the things I assume to understand and know that are very far from the reality in which you live.

The child was a typical four-year-old girl -- cute, inquisitive, bright as a new penny. When she expressed difficulty in grasping the concept of marriage, her father decided to pull out his wedding photo album, thinking visual images would help. One page after another, he pointed out the bride arriving at the church, the entrance, the wedding ceremony, the recessional, the reception, etc.

"Now do you understand?" he asked.

"I think so, " she said, "is that when mommy came to work for us?"

{Forwarded by Steven Hansen} (Mikey’s Funnies - 5/12/00)

It can be tempting as a husband, a son, a child, to believe that a mom’s only role is that of worker. Working on meals, working on laundry, working at work, working on her children’s homework. But we dare not believe your role to be just that for the overtime you put in, that breaks your backs would break our banks.

You must forgive us Moms - for being naive to what you do, in the middle of the night as we sleep on oblivious to the mess in the room down the hall. For being naïve to the details that you do that keep our children moving toward the next meal, appointment or activity.

But your doing isn’t that which most satisfies and isn’t of the most significance to us. It is your being who you are and how you live with us in private that blesses us. It is your living for Christ in our homes in your deeds and demeanor and dialogues with us that touches us. For it is far easier to live on excellent life among your friends in public when you are consciously putting your best foot forward but another to do it at home when those defenses go down with those you call family.

Our God sees your being ladies. Our God sees. He recognizes that which your husbands don’t. He values that which you live for that is at odds with our consumer culture that creates thirsts that will never be filled. Your ability to prioritize, to have tender hearts is noticed by our God and can be used to bless your family and the generations that follow.

This fact that our Lord sees and notices you, pays attention to you is especially critical for you to hold onto. That he cares far more about who you are than what you check off of that never ending to do list can be a gift of grace.

The Bible is full of stories of women of God who contributed to making this world a better place in which to live and who helped to advance the Kingdom of God. Allow me to remind you of some of these well-known and not so well known women in the Bible.

After the passing of Israel through the midst of the Red Sea, it was Miriam who led the people in their rejoicing, saying, "Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously" (Exodus 15:21, KJV).

Ruth put God first and as a result became the ancestress of King David.

Deborah was one to the judges of Israel.

Queen Esther took her life in her hands to plead for her doomed people.