“How to Love Your Mom”
Mother’s Day -2012
May 13, 2012
Matthew 20:20-21
“Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
“What is it you want?” he asked.
She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
How would you like to have a mom like that? The fact of the matter is that I have. I am very blessed to have a mom who goes to Jesus daily and asks Him to bless me. I know that – and it humbles me. I’ve told the story before about how just before my Dad died, he and I took a trip to International Falls, Minnesota – the place I was born. He told me something on that trip I had never heard before. He said the hospital was being renovated so all the moms about to give birth were being transported to Fort Francis, Canada – which is just across the river. Mom refused. She wanted her son to be born in the United States in case he ever ran for president. So I was born an American instead of a Canadian.
I told Mom once that I am sorry that I disappointed her and didn’t become president. She said, “You aren’t a disappointment to me, Son. I am very proud of my Preacher Boy.” Someone did say, “Don’t stoop to be a king if God calls you to be a pastor.” So maybe I exceeded her expectations.
What a blessing to have a godly Mom. But not everyone is so blessed. “According to the American Anthropological Association, more than 200 women kill their children in the United States each year. Of 49 women on death row, 11 killed children” I could give specifics and name names. I won’t do that - but
Wow! We don’t hear that side of motherhood very much, do we? But it is true. Not everyone has been as blessed as I have been. Not everyone has a godly mother. So what do you do then? God tells us.
First of all, we are to honor our moms. This is God’s will for us.
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Ephesians 6:1-3
What does that mean? What does honoring your Mother look like? What it isn’t – is agreeing with her over everything. It isn’t liking everything she does. Some moms make some pretty terrible choices. In this day and age there are some pretty bad moms out there. How is the Christian to honor a mom who is a non believer and possibly despises everything the Christian stands for. Maybe hates the Bible and will have nothing to do with Christ. What is the Christian to do then?
I’ll tell you. No – I will let God tell you. You honor her. How do you honor someone? You treat them with respect. You are polite. You are courteous. You might even give them gifts or little tokens of respect.
You see, when God asks us to honor someone – it is not so much for THEIR benefit – as it is for ours. It says something about us. It reveals something inside of us. Did you notice the blessing of long life was to us? Did you notice the promise of an enjoyable life was for us – not our moms. It benefits US – when we obey God.
I have to tell you, I’m not a fan of our president. I think he is making some pretty bad choices for our country. I don’t support him; don’t like what he is doing. But I choose to honor him. If I were to face him – I would be kind and gentle and as agreeable as I could. You don’t have to like someone to honor them. Every military person knows that. You salute the uniform; you show respect to the uniform – not necessarily the individual wearing it. Likewise, we are to honor our moms – more for us than them. We don’t need to compromise; we don’t need to accept sinful actions; we don’t need to agree – but we need to be agreeable. Otherwise, how will we ever have a chance to minister to them? I think we ought to be very careful about cutting anyone out of our lives. When we do that we lose any chance of God using us to minister to them. Honor your Moms – this is the word of the Lord.
Secondly, this Mother’s Day, provide for her.
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
1 Timothy 5:8
You are WORSE than an unbeliever – is you do not provide for your mom. Does that mean I have to make my Mom move out to California so I can take care of her? No. Not in my case. My mom doesn’t need my financial support. She doesn’t need to move in with me – although she certainly would be welcome if that were the case. What my Mom needs most from me is my love and my prayers. I need to do better at calling her and sending her cards and little tokens of my love. I get so busy I think she will understand. And she does. But I can do better.
Mom needs my prayers –especially at this point in her life. She is facing a lot of physical challenges. She needs my spiritual support. I pray for her daily – but maybe I can do a little more.
What is it you can provide for your mom? Maybe some who hear this or read this – need to invite their mom to move in with them. Maybe they need your financial support. When I was in the army – there were some guys who send money home each month. I have known people who have come here from other countries do that. Every paycheck a portion is sent home. Maybe you need to do that.
I do know what your mom needs from you most, tho. Your love and your prayers. Think about how you can express your love for your mom. How can you say, “I love you. I care about you. You matter to me.” You need to figure that out – not so much for her – but for you. It will probably do YOUR soul more good than it will do hers.
Above all – pray for her. Intercede for her. Be a prayer warrior for her. She may have hurt you in the past; she may have neglected you through out your life; she may have tried to kill you – maybe abort you – I don’t know. But I know this. She needs your prayer – and you have an obligation to provide that need for her.
Thirdly, Bless your Mom. Mothers are everything for us when we are small. Have you see Lacy and Cara? Our lives revolve around our moms at that age. They are life for us. If there is anything that we need - we call mom. When we are scared and to protect us from all perceivable dangers - we want her protecting arms around us. When we get a little older, and when we go out, we hold her arm. To kiss away our wounds we run to her. And for a warm hug and a little love - we look for her. She is the focal point of our lives. She is the greatest human being in the world.
We ought to bless her. The bible says,
“..do not despise your mother when she is old.” “May your ...mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!” Proverbs 23:22; 25
What can you do to make your mother rejoice? What can you do to give her an attitude of joy? Maybe just a word or two. Maybe telling her you love her. Do you think that might make her joyful? If she is not a Christian – plant a seed of faith for her. A word; a note; a gift – do something to bless her. It will bless YOU even more.
Some of you may be feeling left out. You may no longer have your mother with you. Like Julie, your mom is in heaven. Maybe someone here never knew their biological mother. You may be angry and disappointed in your mother.
You know, it doesn’t really matter. Mother’s Day is about YOU doing the right thing. Even if your mother is not a part of your life – you make the right choices. 1. Honor her. 2. Provide for her, if you can. 3. Bless her. Why? Because it is the right thing to do. Not only will it bless her – but it cause things to go well with you and result in a long and happy life for you.
SONG: Change my Heart
