INTRODUCTION
Today we want to honor all of our mothers on this special day…Mother’s Day
We celebrate mother’s day because of Anna M. Jarvis who had suggest the national observance of an annual day honoring all mothers because she loved her own mother so dearly
On May 9, 1914, by an act of Congress, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day
As I thought about Mother’s Day, I began to reflect on motherhood and I believe it is still the most important institution in the world
Being a mother is more than giving birth…it is a lifetime commitment to love, nurture, correct, train and build character in their individual children’s lives
From the time the child is born, it is the mother’s job to prepare that child to leave the nest
Life is full of different roads and there are many paths to follow
Mothers teach their children how to make good choices…even though they know the child will make bad ones
And when bad ones are made, there are valuable lessons to be learned by the child…and mothers are the ones who love them through the lesson
As I pondered all that a mother does, I thought about the job description a mother might have…look at what our text says
Prov 31:10-31 / Pray
Here is how it might read in the classifieds: Needed, One Mother: She must have the following qualifications, I am using the acrostic of MOTHER in my adverstisement.
1. M is for:
a. Manager – she must be able to train, direct, educate, and prepare a child for life
b. Mender – She must be able to fix things, from bicycles to broken hearts
Proverbs 31:19 (NLT)
Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.
c. Mentor – she must be a teacher; a coach and advisor rolled into one
Proverbs 31:26 (NLT)
When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instructions.
2. O is for:
a. Organizer – she is one who will bring structure to her household and to her child’s life
Proverbs 31:27 (NLT)
She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequences of laziness.
b. Opportunist – she will seize the moment, see that window of opportunity and keep her child’s eye on the goal
Proverbs 31:18 (NLT)
She watches for bargains; her lights burn late into the night.
3. T is for:
a. Trustworthy – her child will know she can be trusted to keep her word
Proverbs 31:11 (NLT)
Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
b. Teacher – she will not give a task without showing her child how to complete it
c. Taxi – she is always available to drive her children to scout meetings, sporting events, school functions, late night shopping sprees, etc…
4. H is for:
a. Helper – she is there to help in time of need; she knows when to hold on and when to let go. She helps her child strive for excellence in every area of life
Proverbs 31:20 (NLT)
She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.
b. Healer – She stands with her child through the rough places and the wrong choices and helps that child begin again. Her kiss on a wound is better than any medicine a doctor can give.
5. E is for:
a. Example – She sets the example in the home. She knows there are little eyes watching everything she does.
Proverbs 31:16 (NLT)
She goes out to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
b. Edifier – She builds up her children; she gives them confidence as she encourages them in every endeavor of life
Proverbs 31:26 (NLT)
When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instructions.
6. R is for:
a. Restrictor – She sets boundaries for herself as well as her children…these boundaries are a direct correlation of her love
b. Restorer – She is able to softly and tenderly rebuild and restore in her children what others tear down
c. Refuge – She is a refuge, a safe place in time of trouble
Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future.
d. Reflection of Christ – When her children look at her, she reflects the character of Christ
Proverbs 31:28 (NLT)
Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:
There is no better picture to depict the love Christ has for His children than that of the love a mother has for her child
She willingly lays down her life for her children
2 Cor 12:14b-15a
After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well.
CONCLUSION
Being a mother is the most important occupation on earth and the advertisement that I came up with probably doesn’t even come close to what she does on a daily basis
I think Megan was telling me recently that if a mother was paid for all she does, it would roughly be a salary of about $130 thousand dollars a year…personally…it is probably more
There is not much glory or fame but there is no greater or no more important occupation in all the world
Mother’s…thank you for all you do and have done…we celebrate you today…this is your special day.
