“How Do You Spell Mother?”
He needed someone tender enough to cherish the thrill of a baby growing within her body & yet someone strong enough to survive the pain of childbirth, so God made a Mother.
He needed someone to take care of that precious baby throughout the night & still take care of her home & the rest of her family throughout the day, on minimal sleep, so God made a Mother.
He needed someone hard enough to say no to her children when she needed to & soft enough to breaks the rules at times & treat her kids to what they want, so God made a Mother.
He needed someone who could be in two places at one time & with eyes in the back of their head, so God made a Mother.
He needed someone stern enough to paddle a little behind when it was called for & yet someone tender enough to heal a skinned leg with a Band-Aid & a hug & kiss, so God made a Mother.
He needed someone with calloused knees, calloused from the hours spent there in prayer for her family, so God made a Mother.
He needed a theologian to share the gospel, a psychologist to deal with teens, an entomologist for those insect collections, a botanist for those leaf collections, a professor for those late night homework sessions, & a physician to always know what’s wrong, so God made a Mother.
He needed someone with a tough enough heart to show her child tough love & yet someone with the patience of Job & a soft heart to show trust to that child, so God made a Mother.
He needed someone with a heart that would always hold a place for that child & yet have hands that would eventually open up & let that child go to find their own place in this world, so God made a Mother.
He needed someone who would have the grace to welcome that child that had made a mistake back into the fold, so God made a Mother.
He knew He needed someone to watch over us as we made our way through this life, so God made a Mother.
Read I Thessalonians 2:7-8. Our message is titled “How Do You Spell Mother?” We’re going to see how you spell Mother. And since we’re in church, naturally we’re talking about a godly Mother. A godly Mother is spelled modesty, observant, thankful, honorable, encouraging, & resourceful. Pray.
I. Modesty There are a couple of definitions for modest that I’d like us to look at. The first one is this: having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits, importance, etc.; free from vanity, egotism, boastfulness, or great pretensions. Even though Mom is the most important person around the house, she doesn’t let on that she is. She is always putting everyone else & everyone else’s needs ahead of hers. Even though she is carrying out the most important job on this earth, she is free from vanity or egotism. She rarely if ever allows her Super Mom cape to show or to be seen. Mom always puts her kids first. I like the story of the math teacher asking the little boy a question about fractions one day. She asked him, “Let’s suppose you had a pie & there were only four pieces left. There are five of you in your family. How many pieces of pie will each family member receive?” The little boy responded quickly that each would receive one piece of pie. The teacher asked him to think about the problem again. “There are four pieces of pie & five people so how many pieces would each family member receive?” He repeated his previous answer, “One each.” To which the teacher replied, “I can see that you don’t know much about fractions.” The little boy responded, “You don’t know much about my Momma. If there were only four pieces of pie left, Momma would decide that she didn’t really want a piece of pie.” Mom always seems to want her family to have the most & the best of everything. She isn’t too concerned about what she has. I’ve been around a lot of great Moms in my time on earth & I’ve never ever heard one tell you how great she was. She might go on & on about her kids or her grandkids, but she won’t ever boast about herself. You know why? She’s modest. The other definition of modest I wanted to share is this: having or showing regard for the decencies of behavior, speech, & dress. A godly Mother is modest in her behavior. What does that mean? It means she acts like a Mother. There are stages in our life when things change. It’s called the process of maturity. Paul described like this in I Corinthians 13:11. He writes—"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.(In other words when he was a child he acted like a child) When I became a man(or woman) I put childish ways behind me." Becoming a Mother is one of those stages. It’s a major stage. It’s the time to become a woman & put childish ways behind you. That doesn’t mean Mothers can’t have fun. On the contrary, the most fun times of your life are coming. It’s just a different kind of fun. Why is it important for godly Mothers to act modestly? So you will be a role model. Titus 2:3-4—Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children. Sadly in our society, some women have trouble making the transition & the kids end up the casualties. Godly Mothers act modestly. They also talk modestly. They dress modestly. As a member of the opposite sex, this one is really important to us. Ladies, we don’t need the temptation. Godly Mothers dress modestly. How do you spell Mother? It starts with modesty.
II. Observant The definition of observant is “quick to notice or perceive; alert.” Why must a godly Mother be observant? The Bible tells us to “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Mom must be observant to everything happening around her family. She needs to observe everything she can about who her kid’s friends are, where her kids go, & what they are watching & listening to. Young people, don’t think your folks are trying to smother you. They care about you & have your best interest at heart. I know it doesn’t always seem like it but trust me. The best definition I have ever heard about becoming a parent, becoming a Mom is this. “It’s the conscious decision to allow your heart to go walking around outside your body.” Young people, give your folks the benefit of the doubt. You are carrying their heart around with you. Godly mothers must be observant. How do you spell Mother? You start with modesty & then add observant.
III. Thankful A godly Mother doesn’t have to have a whole lot to be thankful. In fact she is thankful for the least little things. I believe this prayer about says it all.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for this sink of dirty dishes; we have plenty of food to eat.
Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry; we have plenty of nice clothes to wear.
And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds; they were so warm and comfortable last night. I know that many have no bed.
My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mess, soggy, grimy towels and the dirty lavatory; they are all so convenient.
Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly; it has served us faithfully for many years. It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.
Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today; it has baked so many things over the years.
The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing and lawn that needs raking; we all enjoy the yard.
Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door. My kids are healthy and able to run and play. Many children cannot.
Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says You have richly blessed my family. I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.
Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings… Thank you, Lord that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.
Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible…Thank you, Lord that I can see. Many are blind.
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising…Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.
Even though the first hour of my day is hectic with socks that are lost, toast that is burned, tempers that are short, and my children that are so loud…Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.
Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times not balanced…Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.
Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous…Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who are jobless.
Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest…Thank you, Lord, for life.
Godly Mothers are thankful for what they have instead of worrying about what they don’t have. How do you spell Mother? Start with modesty, add observant, & then thankful.
VI. Honorable A godly Mother is to be honorable. The writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 13:4—Marriage should be honored by all.” I’m not just talking to Mom here. It says marriage should be honored by all. We live in an age of disposable marriages. I’m not putting the blame all on women. I’m not putting all the blame on men. It’s equally shared. But marriage in our lifetime is being redefined. And I’m not just referring to same sex unions. But even marriage between a man & a woman is being changed. Commitment doesn’t seem to mean much these days. People stay married as long as it’s interesting to them. As soon as it doesn’t or as soon as someone else comes on the scene, it’s over. There is even a marriage vow being used that goes like this. “I promise to stay married to you as long as I love you.” A godly Mother is an honorable Mother. She takes her vows & her family seriously.
V. Encouraging Why should a godly Mother be encouraging? She knows that it is entirely possible that this world will be discouraging to her kids. It’s entirely possible that this world will chew them up & spit them out if she’s not careful. They are going to need all the help & encouragement they can get. I wonder how many children have been encouraged by godly Mothers with words from Scripture. To a child who might be struggling in the awkwardness of adolescence, who feels like everyone looks like they are supposed to except him, I wonder how many have been encouraged with words like this: “You are fearfully & wonderfully made.” How about these words? “Be strong & courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Or how about these: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Or maybe these: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Or maybe these: “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Or maybe: “You can do all things through Christ, who strengthens you.” If Mom isn’t ready to encourage her kids about who they are in Christ or who they can be in Christ, there is a lost world out there ready to teach & encourage them about who they can be without Christ. How do you spell Mother? It starts with modesty, then observant, then thankful, & then encouraging.
VI. Resourceful Godly Mothers must be resourceful. They have to use every means available to do their job. I found this story about how ingenious Moms are.
WHAT MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME
My mother taught me RELIGION: When I spilled grape juice on the carpet, she instructed, "You better pray the stain will come out of the carpet."
My mother taught me LOGIC: From her decisive words, "Because I said so, that’s why."
My mother taught me FORESIGHT: "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident."
My mother taught me IRONY: "Keep laughing, and I’ll give you something to cry about."
My mother taught me about STAMINA: "You’ll sit there ’til all that spinach is finished."
My mother taught me about WEATHER: "It looks as if a tornado swept through your room."
My mother taught me THE CIRCLE OF LIFE: "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION: "Stop acting like your father!"
My mother taught me about ENVY: "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have a wonderful Mom like you do!"
I believe godly Moms must be resourceful because it’s nearly as though they are swimming upstream in our society today. A godly Mom has one goal for her children. She wants them to share her faith. She would do anything to make that happen. And for the most part, not always but for the most part, that duty falls on Mom. Listen to what Paul wrote to Timothy. “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” I didn’t hear anything about granddad or dad did you? Too often he is not involved. If he is involved in their life, he’s usually absent from their spiritual life. Again, it’s left mostly to Mom.
When I say she must be resourceful, what I mean is that Mom is fighting a tough fight. The world we live in makes a pretty strong push for their way of life. They make it sound so glamorous & so much fun. You aren’t what you should be unless you drive this particular car or drink this particular alcoholic beverage or wear these particular clothes. And of course you don’t dare go to church or believe that Jesus stuff. Nobody with half a brain believes that stuff anymore. We’re too educated for that. We’re too enlightened. And if a kid does want to live out their faith, they are made to feel stupid or prudish or second class. What resources can she use? It goes right back to what we have talked about.
How about modesty? Just don’t tell them how they should live, show them by your actions. Kids today are hard to fool. Someone telling them they should be doing this while they are doing the opposite isn’t going to cut it. Not to be crude but it’s time to put up or shut up. Live out your faith in front of your kids. Do it modestly.
How about being observant? That’s a resource Mom can use. Know your kids friends. Know what they are watching & listening to & where they are spending their time.
How about being thankful? Being thankful refers to your prayer life. Paul said in Philippians to not be anxious about anything. Don’t worry about anything but in everything by prayer & petition with thanksgiving; let your requests be made known to God.
How about being honorable? She can teach her kids that her faith is true by remaining honorable to her marriage.
How about encouraging? When the world kicks your kid in the mouth, they can use all the encouragement they can get.
These are all resources Mom can use to pass along her faith.
How do spell Mother? Pray.
