The Influence Of A Mother

THE INFLUENCE OF A MOTHER

SCRIPTURE: II Timothy 1:5 “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.”

INTRODUCTION:

Anna M. Jarvis was the eighth child born into a family with 11 kids. Born and raised in Grafton, West VA. Every year in May we remember something she did. What did she do? Anna was at her mom’s bedside on the night she died in May 1905. And it was 2 years later, Anna convinced her church Andrews Methodist Church in Grafton, where her mother and herself taught Sunday School for years to hold a special Mother’s day service in honor of mothers on the anniversary of her own mother’s death. That Sunday morning (May 10, 1908)- Anna gave a white carnation - her mom’s favorite flower to every mother who attended. The response: 407 children and their mothers came. You want to draw a crowd to church, come out with an original idea in the style of Anna such as a Mother’s Day service?

This was such a success, that an idea was born in Anna’s heart - she sought to honor all mothers.

In Philadelphia, she organized a Mother’s Day Committee, with such big shots as food manufacturer Henry J. Heinz, dept. store founder John Wanamaker, and the editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

In 1910, West VA became the 1st state to recognize a formal Mom’s day. State after state, from east to west, followed that lead. On May 10, 1913 US House of Representatives passed a resolution officially recognizing Mother’s Day. On May 9, 1914, by an act of Congress, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. He established the day as a time for "public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country."

Anna Jarvis, from her desire to honor her mother, she attracted 407 children and their mothers to church.

407 children and their mothers got to hear the gospel because of one lady decided to honor her mother

Legacy of attracting to church on Mother’s Day continues today, many mothers are being blessed today because of Anna’s desire to honor her mom. All this because Anna Jarvis wanted to honor her mother. What an influence her mother must have been in her life. And in turn, she has influenced an entire nation.

I. INFLUENCE

A. Have you ever thought seriously about your influence upon others, especially your

children?

“THE HEART OF A CHILD”

Whatever you write on the heart of a child,

no water can wash away.

The sands may be shifted when billows are wild

and the efforts of time may decay.

Some stories may perish, some songs be forgot,

but this engraved record, time changes it not.

Whatever you write in the heart of a child

a story of gladness or care---

that heaven has blessed or that earth has defiled,

will linger unbearably there.

Who writes it has sealed it forever and aye.

He must answer to God on that great judgment day

B. Influence (in- in + fluere to flow)

1. The power of persons or things to produce effects on others, especially by indirect means.

2. Power resulting from social position, wealth, etc.

3. One who or that which possesses the power to affect others.

There was a young mother who knew she was something of a fiery driver. She was like a race car driver, pushing her car through heavy traffic. She often had comments to make about other drivers. She didn’t know, however, that some little ears had been listening to her. NOT UNTIL ONE WEEK.

Her little boy rode with her a lot. His car seat in the back didn’t allow his two-year-old eyes to see the road. But he could see his mom, feel the pitch of the car and hear her words.

One day, his mother had to put on the brakes very quickly. The car gave that familiar lunge to the front as the tires grabbed the road. Although he couldn’t see what happened, he knew the squeal of the tires and the motion of the car. From the back seat came the words he’d heard so often in that situation, “TUPID DURK!”

“If A Child Lives”, from a sermon called The Divine Family

If a child lives with criticism,

HE learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility,

HE learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule,

HE learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame,

HE learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance,

HE learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement,

HE learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise,