Title:
“What’s a Mother to do?”
Introduction:
If you want to raise godly children, let me encourage you to follow the example of Mary! There are ten things for a mother to do...
1. A Mother who is a good cook.
(Luke 2:40 KJV) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Note that Jesus grew. He would not grow without food. In Revelation 2:30, God says that when we open our hearts door to him, that he would sit down and sup with us at the table. May we rededicate our families to sharing suppertime together around the table!
2. A Mother who knows how to discipline her child.
(Luke 2:40 KJV) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Jesus had a strong spirit. So does every child. A Mother must have a stronger spirit than that of her child. Note that it was Mary who brought the admonition to Jesus about staying behind at Jerusalem. Note that Jesus was "subject" to his parents as he grow up as a child.
Children need to know who is in charge. Take leadership. Use your authority. Discipline your child!
3. A Mother who takes the time to read good books to her child.
(Luke 2:40 KJV) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Note that Jesus was "filled with wisdom." Don’t let your child become a couch potato. Make him sit down and read to him.. Teach him to sit down and read to himself. Provide for your child to have a good Christian education.
4. A Mother who takes the time to pray with her child.
(Luke 2:40 KJV) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Note that the "grace of God was upon him." Jesus was perfect. All other children are not. The word "grace" needs to be applied to raising a child.
Mary was always there praying for her son, even at the foot of the cross.
5. A Mother who establishes traditions and guidelines for her child.
(Luke 2:41 KJV) Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
(Luke 2:42 KJV) And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
Note that attending the Passover was a tradition with the household of Mary and Joseph.
Mother’s need to make every holiday, an event special for her children. Thanksgiving would not be thanksgiving without the input of a Mother.
6. A Mother who thrives on making a family for her child to be apart of.
(Luke 2:43 KJV) And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
(Luke 2:44 KJV) But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
In these verses you will note that Jesus grew up surrounded by brothers and sisters, cousins, uncles and aunts, etc.
Because of sin and divorce, today’s children seldom know what it is to be in a real family. A good mother will make decisions that will protect her children by striving to provide for them a good family environment. That means... waiting until you get married before having sex! Note the moral example of Joseph and Mary. She was a virgin at the time of their espousal! To be a good Mother, you will want to provide your children with a good father!
7. A Mother who makes daily sacrifices to see that her child is safe.
(Luke 2:45 KJV) And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
Mary and Joseph turned their life around when they saw that Jesus was not with them on their journey home. They made the sacrifice to return for their son.
Many children are not aware of the many daily sacrifices that their parents make on their behalf!
8. A Mother who brings her child to Church in order that he might have godly mentors.
(Luke 2:46 KJV) And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
(Luke 2:47 KJV) And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple. There at the Temple Jesus was introduced to men who sought after God.
Your children need the influence of godly Pastors and Youth Pastors, Deacons, Sunday School Teachers, etc.
9. A Mother who cares enough to weep over her child when he is missing.
(Luke 2:48 KJV) And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
Note that Mary told Jesus that she was greatly "sorrowing" for him. Evey child needs to know that he has a Mother who cares about his welfare. Every child needs his Mother’s love!
10. A Mother who never stops being a Mother to her child.
(Luke 2:49 KJV) And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
(Luke 2:50 KJV) And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
(Luke 2:51 KJV) And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Note that Mary, "kept all these sayings in her heart."
In the heart of every Mother there should be a scrape book of the events on their child’s life. Mary would always see herself as the Mother of her son.
Conclusion One:
Does your child have an godly earthly Mother?
How do you fair in lining yourself up against the list?
Conclusion Two: Does your child have a heavenly Father!
Although Jesus had a godly earthly Mother, more importantly, he had a relationship with his heavenly Father. He said, "I must be about my "Father’s business."
Do your children have a relationship with their heavenly Father? Are they busy about serving him?
That is the real test and goal of a godly Mother. Amen.
