"Things My Mother Said"
Prov. 1:8-9 (6:20-23)
Listen my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. . . .
Intro:
I read of a California mother of 10 with the 11th child on the way. One day her 3 year old son was making even the simplest chores difficult to accomplish as she said, "Len . . . was on my heals no matter where I went. Whenever I stopped to do something and turned back around, I would trip over him." Several times she patiently suggested he find fun things to do until he said, "Oh, that’s alright Mommy, I’d rather be in here with you." After several other frustrating incidents she asked him why he was acting this way. She said, ". . . he looked up at me with green eyes and said, ‘Well, Mommy, in Primary my teacher told me to walk in Jesus’ footsteps. But I can’t see Him, so I’m walking in yours.’"
It’s amazing what we can learn from moms isn’t it?
That’s what these Proverbs are telling us.
This Mother’s Day I wanted to take a little different approach with my sermon. For an outline I am going to use some of the famous quotes my mother often used. Then I’d like to draw some life-lessons from those quotes.
To do this I need three (4) moms to help me with these quotes.
I’ll give you enough to get started then you finish the sentence.
Whenever you were going somewhere that required an overnight bag, she would always remind you to . . .
"Make Sure You Have Clean . . . underwear."
Why? (In case you get in an accident.)
Sitting on the living room floor, how many times did you hear these words,
"Don’t Sit Too Close to the . . . television."
Why?(It’s bad for you eyes.)
At the supper table you heard this. . .
"Clean Your . . . plate." (There is no point in sermon for this.)
Why? "There are starving children in India, Africa (or any foreign country) who would love to eat that."
If I asked, "Mom, can I go to Johnny’s (Suzie’s) house?" She’d say . . .
"Ask . . . you father."
(Give the volunteers a token reward, candy bar, etc., and thank them for helping.)
Now let’s take each of these and draw some life lessons from them.
Clean Underwear
Mom always warned you to wear clean underwear - in case you were in an accident. With that little piece of advice your mother did a number of things at once. (If your friends were present, she embarrassed the daylights out of you. But other than that...) She taught you good hygiene and personal grooming with a lesson you were not apt to forget! She taught you that life was uncertain. To expect the unexpected. "In case you’re in an accident." And most importantly, she instilled within you a sense of healthy shame. She taught you there were things to be ashamed of. That you should always do what is right - even if it is unseen. If your secret was disclosed would you be ashamed of what you had done, or what you left undone?
The Statue of Liberty was unveiled in New York Harbor in 1886. It was 151 feet to the top of her head. That is 15 stories high, and in the middle of the harbor. It wouldn’t be until the early 1900’s - at least after 1908 - that the first plane would fly overhead. That would be nearly 36 years. Yet Bartholdi designed Lady Liberty with a part in her hair. By the way, the model for the Statue of Liberty was his mother. (7700 Ill., #3621)
In her sermon last month Tina quoted Num. 32:23, "Be sure your sins will find you out." Then she added, "Our sins are like items in an archaeological dig. No matter how much something is covered, unless it is completely wiped out, it will eventually be found." Hebrews 4:13 says, Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.
Always do right. Even when others can’t see or when no one seems to be looking. Otherwise you may be embarrassed.
I know a young man who was seriously injured and rushed to the nearest hospital for emergency surgery. He recounted one of the scenes he remembers from fading in and out of consciousness. Not knowing the extent of his injuries, a nurse was cutting his jeans off with surgical scissors. When she got to about his knee he heard her exclaim, "Oh!" with a loud gasp. He was a drug user and had hidden his "roach clip" (an alligator-clip with a string of fluffy, colored feathers) on the in-seam of his pant leg. She had discovered his secret AND his colored feathers.
Be sure your sins will find you out.
And if you question your mother’s wisdom, you can put it to the test. Wear dirty underwear. You are guaranteed to get in an accident.
Don’t Sit Too Close To the TV
Mom told you not to sit so close to the "television" because it was bad for your eyes. Oh, what a truth that is.
Mrs. Jean Luber, professor of zoology at the University of Alberta exposed 20 chickens to TV 24 hours a day for 2 ½ months. She found the chickens exposed to continual viewing developed glaucoma, were blinded and staggered around in a daze. (7700 Ill., #6494, p. 1440)
Jesus said, Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body is full of light. But when they are bad your whole body is full of darkness. (Lk. 11:34)
Jesus warned us long ago what doctors and moms have been telling us for years. Getting too close to TV - too close physically, too close mentally and psychologically and philosophically - is bad for you. Be careful what you see. The "light" or "darkness" of the message depicted in images on a screen affect your whole being. "Be careful little eyes what you see..."
We can not be conformed to the pattern of this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Rom. 12:2) The TV has long been called "the boob-tube" and "the idiot box." Yet is has also been recognized as "the most powerful social force in America today." (Southern Baptist Radio and Television officials) And the US News and World Report gave a survey cited TV as "first -and organized religion 18th- among influences on daily living." (7700 Ill., #6475, p.1437)
Mamma’s oft-repeated warning was for the good of our eyesight. In hindsight, as it turns out it was also good for our insight. Don’t let Hollywood -don’t let the world- shape your thinking. Rather allow God’s Word to renew your mind and shape your thoughts.
Clean Your Plate (Did not use this point in the original sermon)
If you asked for it or dished it onto your plate yourself, you had to "eat it all gone."
For some of us this was our first introduction to the world of missions. This discouraged waste and greed. It caused you to think of others less fortunate than yourself. It promoted thinking outside your own little world. It promotes frugality and consideration.
You had to finish what you started. To see a project through.
It reminds us that a job worth doing is worth doing well.
Jesus said, "It is finished." (Jn. 19:30)
Paul said, "I have finished the race." (2 Tim. 4:7)
Gal. 6:9 says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Ask Your Father
It was a frustrating time in your life when you asked mom for something, or for permission to go somewhere and she told you to ask your father - who as often as not answered with, "go ask your mother." Be that as it may, this is still great advice. "Ask your father" - both your earthly dad and of course your Heavenly Father as well.
When we are faced with an important decision and we are not sure what to do - ask the Lord. If you are not sure if it’s right or wrong to do something - ask God.
Another little piece of sage advice your mother often gave you was, "If you are not sure if it’s right or wrong to do, picture yourself doing it with your father or me beside you." If you can’t imagine doing something with God at your side, it is best left undone.
Prov. 3:5-6, Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Or, direct your paths)
Jam. 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
So, once again Mother’s advice guides our way. When you are unsure of what to do ask God. (I remember when I was little, as we said good night, my mom very often reminded me, "Don’t forget to say your prayers.") That’s also a good reminder.
Close:
My mother’s "proverbs," her teachings and brief quotes of bits of wisdom are like a wreath on my head; they are like an ornamental necklace.
Moms have been reminding us of essential life lessons for generations.
1. Life is uncertain; it doesn’t come with guarantees; expect the unexpected. "Be sure your sins will find you out." Take care of the unseen issues of your life. God sees them.
2. Don’t get too close to the things of this world. Don’t conform to this world’s molds and standards. You’re called to higher things. ("If everyone else stuck their head in a fire, would you?" Or, "If everyone else jumped of the bridge, would you?)
3. Ask your Father. If God gives you permission, it’s alright. There was a scene in It’s A Wonderful Life where, as a boy, George Baily wasn’t sure of what to do. Just then he saw a sign that read, "Ask dad - he always knows what’s right." That may not be true of us earthly dads, but it is certainly true of our heavenly Father.
I am grateful for "the things my mother said." Often her little sayings come to mind to help me sort things out. I’m sure that is true of you also. If you have a chance today, why not thank "mom" for all she has taught you. Especially if she taught you to love Jesus.
Happy Mother’s Day - moms!
