Motherhood: The Blessing, The Curse, And The Challenge

Allow me to start this morning with a confession: I know it will come as a shock to some of you... I am not a mother! Truthfully, this message might be better delivered by a mother ...but I think this morning you are going to have to settle for me...

Allow me to read this mornings text - Proverbs 31:10-12; 25-31

This morning I want to talk about motherhood and I want to start off with the word Blessing... Do you remember ladies what it was like to give birth? The pain that was involved. The labor. The delivery. Every mother I have ever known has a story to tell... Now, I am not often the recipient of such stories. But if you have spent any time around a group of women, here come the stories... But I want you to remember what it was like to hold that baby for the first time.

Daddies have a unique bond with their children, but it is nothing like what you mothers have... You are very blessed. I hope that you know how much God has blessed you by giving you a child. I believe that it truly is a blessing that comes from God and I hope you see it is such.

Motherhood is many things - and not all of them are fun and enjoyable - just remember that you are blessed.

Speaking of blessing - I hope you also know how much of a blessing you are to your children. Probably the greatest influence in our lives is our mother. She shapes us spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Its not hard for us to think of the many ways that we have been blessed by our mothers...

In this passage that I’ve read it talks about the value of a good wife and mother - it says she’s more precious than rubies. It speaks of the value that a good wife and mother add to our lives and it says we should rise up and bless her... So this morning, I hope you know how blessed we are to have you!

But along with that blessing comes a curse too, right? In the garden of Eden, God says birth will be marked by pain - but if we are honest - motherhood can be a pain too...

As much as we try to be good husbands and fathers and share to load, Moms really get the brunt of it. I used to joke with my wife Dana that in the middle of the night, the sweetest word uttered was “Mommy” - not because it was a term of endearment, but because it was HER they were asking to get out of bed and come help them...

Motherhood can be a blessing, but it can also be a curse. In this passage from Proverbs, I deleted some verses... In fact, I omitted a whole section - that is all about work. Listen to this... (Read Proverbs 31:13-24) Now that was a busy mom...

My own wife often amazes me. She seems tireless in her efforts to go from game to game and activity to activity and juggle chores and life... But I also know its not easy - and sometimes - more than a blessing it feels like a curse.

So let me come to the challenge this morning...

Get close and stay close to God. In those rough times, you will need to depend on the Lord. I think its pretty easy in the days in which we live to function on “pop culture” advice. We can get almost anything we need from a magazine. You can get recipes and style tips and parenting advice... Just don’t forget that the most important thing in your life is your relationship with Christ.

I don’t know when you will work it in by the way... I remember my mother got up early to read her Bible. For you to stay close to God though, you will have to spend time in His Word and you will have to pray. Just remember its not a “duty.” Its sustenance...

Here’s the second part of the challenge - talk about God with your children. Engage them spiritually. Tell them what God is doing in your life... You are their greatest influencer!! Let me say that again: You are their greatest influencer - so speak up fro God and speak God’s words into their lives...

“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.” Proverbs 31:31