Celebrating Mom

Video introduction (1) “Memories” from sermonspice.com

(2) This is a day for many different types of memories and this morning we are going hear from several different persons directly and indirectly, about their mothers and what they mean to them.

But first here are some additional quotes, discovered in my research this week, which impressed me… (3)

(3A) There is an old English proverb which says, ‘He that would the daughter win must with the mother first begin.’

(3B) Then a couple of Jewish proverbs that say, ‘A mother understands what a child does not say.’

(3C) and, ‘God couldn’t be everywhere, so he created mothers.’

(3D) Finally, there is this Spanish proverb that really caught my attention, ‘An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy.’

(In light of this piece of wisdom, I will be bringing a recommendation to our annual business meeting to hire Susan and my mom as associate pastors of the church…)

In our main text this morning, we hear some very important things that give us perspective, and, I think, a suitable introduction to our guest speakers today…

(4) Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

(4A) Charm is deceptive

I have been reading book on Abraham Lincoln and when Mary Todd Lincoln has been mentioned it has often been noted that the often believed view that she was distant, moody, and just plain snooty by some, was just as often proven wrong when one met Mrs. Lincoln in person. However, we are also reminded from the historical record that Mary became a very depressed and moody woman as time passed during Lincoln’s presidency especially after the tragic death of one of their sons.

Good manners and politeness are always in good taste yet one can be charming and deceptive at the same time. In Proverbs 11:16 we read, ‘Beautiful women obtain wealth, and violent men get rich.’

Character counts for something even in these days and we are going to hear in a moment just how much it does count in some women whose character and faith runs deep within them.

(4B) Beauty does not last

When I was in seminary I remember hearing one of my professors, in a discussion about love, commitment, and sexual intimacy remind teenagers and young adults of both sexes to visit a nursing or retirement home and realize that the beauty of youth will fade while real love lasts and is often seen in the love and care given by one spouse for another.

Keeping ourselves neat and clean is still good policy for living with others at home, at work, at school, and in our community. But, all of the botox and Clearasil and liposuction will not keep the inevitable sags and bags at bay forever. If you have gone to a High School class reunion you know what I am talking about.

Last Sunday I led a brief Bible study and discussion at one of the local nursing homes and we concluded our time together by singing Amazing Grace a cappella. As I looked around the table at those who had come (and we had a very good discussion) I saw beauty at its best in the concentration, the graying hair, and yes the wrinkles because of the next part of verse 30…

(4C) …but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

In a recent survey done by the Barna Research Group out of California, it was noted that ‘women who are raising children are among the most faith-minded and spiritually active segments of the American population.’ It goes on to say, ‘the study shows that more than three-quarters of moms identify "family" to be their highest priority. At the same time, a majority of mothers strongly agree that their faith is very important in their life.’

Charm fades, beauty comes and goes, but when a woman develops a faith in God which nurtures and sustains her, there is honor in that and today we have some guest speakers who will share with us the honor they have for their mothers.

(Speakers share)

Now last week I indicated that I was going to honor moms today in a very sweet way… yes with sweets…now if you cannot have sweets I understand that… but share your sweet with sweetness today…

A recent article at Yahoo News on May 2nd, shared the results of a survey and research from salary.com a Waltham, Massachusetts-based compensation company compiled from the online responses of 26,000 stay-at-home mothers and 14,000 mothers who also work outside the home.’ Here is what it found.

‘If the typical stay-at-home mother in the United States were paid for her work as a housekeeper, cook and psychologist among other roles, she would earn $138,095 a year.