Mother’s Day 2016
Luke 2:41-52
When my daughter was a little girl she used to want me to read to her at every opportunity. One of her favorite little books was called “Are you My Mother”?
Some of you may own a copy of this charming little book by Philip Dey Eastman.
Source: P.D. Eastman and published in 1960 by Random House.
Summary of Plot Intro:
It is the story about a mother bird who knows her egg will be in her nest where she left it, so she leaves him alone to go and get something for him to eat. The baby bird hatches while she is away. He does not understand where his mother is so he goes to look for her.
In his search, he asks a kitten, a hen, a dog, and a cow if they are his mother. They each say, no.
Then he sees an old car, which cannot be his mother for sure. In desperation, the hatchling calls out to a boat and a plane, and at last, convinced he has found his mother, he climbs onto the teeth of an enormous power shovel. But he is betrayed by the loud snort of the exhaust, as it shudders and grinds into motion. He can't escape.
I want my mother! He shouts.
But at this climactic moment, his fate is suddenly reversed. The shovel drops him back in his nest, just as his mother is returning home, and the two are reunited, much to their delight. He then tells his mother about the adventure he had looking for her. Source: Wikipedia
A little bit about the author of this book because I’m sure his mother is proud of him and would like you to know about his success.
Philip Dey Eastman is probably more famous for his little children's books than for his other contributions. Source Wikipedia
Eastman worked at the story department of Walt Disney Productions and Warner Bros. Cartoons and gave us the animated figure we know as Mr. Magoo. Well some of us still know who Mr. Magoo is. Philip Dey Eastman author, illustrator, and filmmaker, worked so closely with Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) that he is sometimes mistaken for him. But their mothers could always tell them apart.
Message:
This little story put Mothers Day into perspective for me as I related it to the scripture where Jesus is left behind when the family had visited Jerusalem. Both Joseph and Mary thought Jesus was with the company of family members but not so. Mothers carry a special burden for their children. We call it a maternal instinct as a child I called it a sixth sense. Mothers seem to know intuitively when their children are in trouble or making trouble or are dealing with a trial be it emotional, academic, or spiritual. Moms just seem to know what we are thinking. Scary isn’t it?
But in the scripture passage today we find that Mary is astonished at what she finds Jesus doing. I also find it interesting to see that it is Mary and not Joseph who is correcting Jesus for wandering off. Moms have a way of disciplining in love that really gets to our hearts. The tone of voice, the look in her eyes, the hand gesture all in love.
It is Jesus answer to Mary’s question that causes Mary to realize her little boy is indeed that special little boy that God promised He would be. She explains how anxious they all were as they looked for the missing Jesus. Jesus in reply told her plainly in Luke 2:49
49 Why were you searching for me? He asked. Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?
Just like P.D. Eastman's story of the little bird that wandered off Jesus wandered off but for a very different reason. Jesus had come to realize who he was and where he needed to be. Mary treasured this in her heart as she realized that Jesus had reached an age when he no longer relied on his earthly parents but would follow the path his Heavenly Father had laid out for him.
How many mothers here are like Mary? How many mothers here would gladly trade their concern for a child that they think is lost for the peace of knowing that their child has found their place with their Heavenly Father? Is this not one of the greatest accomplishments of a mother to lovingly care and raise their child to know the Lord?
That assurance is a better reward than any lead role in an elementary school play or sports trophy they could win. That blessing is better than any academic achievement or scholarship that they could earn. Such salvation is even better than seeing your child marry that special someone in their lives. Did I take it too far? You get the point.
For a mother to see her child come to the saving knowledge of the Lord has to be a special treasure just as Mary treasured the truth of who Jesus was. I realize it is not easy to dress a three year old boy or girl and to brush their hair and keep them clean until they make it into the church door.
I realize that you mothers do much, pretty much all of these unseen tasks as you ready your children and family for church and other special moments of celebration. You want to display your children and family in the best possible light because you love them and want others to see why that is so.
Despite your great love and example to your children they do not always follow you. There are times when children will wander off into the world around them and seem to get lost in it. They begin to exercise their free will. How it must break a mother's heart to see that precious child wander so far away from the godly things that she had hoped they would take hold of. The weight of the burden of prayer placed on a mother's heart is so great that at times it must seem as if it can never be lifted. But a child that is lost is never out of a mother's reach when she prays. And that child is lifted before the throne of grace by that Mothers love.
Speaking of being lost…
I was once lost as a small child in grade one. At 6 years of age I wandered off to follow a friend home after school. We crossed a bridge and railroad track and ended up near a flour mill. The police finally located me at 7p.m. later that evening and my mother’s prayers were answered.
Funny thing is that home was always within my reach that day. If only I had looked up to the sky I could have seen the cross that sat upon the steeple of the church that our family attended and I would have found my way home. Thankfully, God is there when a mother cannot be. The cross of Jesus is the landmark to eternity and home if we would only look up to see His love for us.
It was an angel that came to Mary to announce her special role as the mother of Jesus. Our bible tells us that God provides guardian angels for our little ones and that every child is precious. In fact God loves children so much that he promises to severely punish anyone who would harm them. God and mothers share a special love for children and share the same goals for them.
This Mother's Day let us remember all the nurturing, nursing, mending of our clothes and hearts that mothers undertake. Let us remember the ministry that motherhood is and truly show our appreciation for their role in our lives and the lives of our children. Our Heavenly Father has uniquely equipped the Mother's heart for her role. You may not receive the thanks or praise that is due you here on earth for all you sacrifice and for all you give in order to be a mother but one day you will celebrate Mother's Day in heaven and you will know that it has all been worth it.
Until that day arrives continue to be a living example of Jesus Christ to your children and your family. Radiate the love of God from your heart and your lips. Be like the mothers of the bible who trusted God with the lives of their children while continuing to pray for them. Know that your child is never truly lost to you as long as you are given over to prayer for them.
Our God reaches from heaven to earth in order to give you children. Touch the children with your gentle love and care until God calls them back to Himself. Mother's, treasure in your heart the million special moments that being a mother is all about. Our Heavenly Father has identified you as a mother. Be a godly mother and your children will follow your example. – Amen.
Call to Discipleship:
Having spoken today to the ministry of Mother's I wonder if anyone is here today to please their Mother on Mother's Day? If you are I thank you for honoring her by your attendance. But if you want to make her joy complete today then I ask you to step forward in faith and look up to the cross where Jesus died for you. Take Jesus as your Savior today and give your Mother the gift she has been praying your whole life for. Every eye is closed and every heart is open to the call of the Holy Spirit right now. Won't you take that step of faith today? The Deacons and I will pray with you and lead you into those first steps of your new life with Jesus. We wait for you now, identify Jesus as your Savior and you will be blessed in the here and now as well as in the great hereafter. God bless you.
