Behold Your Mother
Today is a day in which we honor our Mothers. Just as I’m sure it is to you, it’s a very special day for me in that I loved my Mother dearly as she is still a huge part of my life.
Where my Father, tough as nails, taught me everything I needed to know about being strong… my Mother taught me how powerful love can be.
I was blessed in the fact that I did have that balance. With Dad’s bravery, fortitude, courage and strength, I could overcome just about any physical obstacle in my life.
My Mother’s love and compassion, however, softened my heart and gave me kindness and understanding to overcome all the other battles life puts before us.
On this day, along with my Mother, I’d like to take some time to talk about all the women in my life who’ve made a difference and changed the way I think, feel and speak.
Once I have told you my heart, I would like to ask that you also stand up and give praise to all the women in your lives that have contributed in building the person you are today.
What the Bible Teaches Us
Jesus Showed Us
Who here can recall a very apparent moment in Christ’s time on earth where He taught us about the importance of caring for one’s Mother? Don’t have it yet? Here it is…
As our Lord and Savior was hanging from the cross; dripping in blood; battered, beaten and preparing for His journey to His Father’s house, He looked down and saw His Mother standing in the crowd.
John 19:26-27 – “When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.”
This, to me, set the standard for how much we should love our Mother and see to it she is taken care of at all times.
Respect for Our Mother
This one was a big one from my Dad. He always protected my Mom and never, in a million years, would he let us disrespect her in any fashion. He would often remind us kids of these words from Ephesians…
Ephesians 6:2-3 (Paul) – “’Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise— ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’”
How hard is this for you? I know that, growing up as a kid, I always “sassed” my Mom. I would always disagree with her as it seemed she was always disagreeing with me.
As I grew into manhood, I learned what it was my Mother was doing all those years. She was teaching me. She was trying to make me into the man she thought I should be… a Godly man! Once I learned the respect I should have for my Mother and started providing it to her, I learned greatly and became the man I am today which, I sincerely hope, is the way she intended it to be.
Wisdom of Our Mother
How smart are our Mothers? Why is it they always seem to know what it is we truly need.
- In Pain – When we scrapped our knees on the pavement while riding our bicycles, it was Mom who came to our rescue.
- In Sickness – When we felt ill, our bodies weakening with sickness, Mom always knew what to give us and how to make us better.
- In our Troubles – When we were bullied or tormented at school or just having trouble getting through each day… wasn’t it always Mom who told us what to say or do?
- In Sadness – When we grieved, over anything, didn’t we receive the greatest comfort from our Mother?
- In our Joy – When all was going well; exceeding at school; playing well on the football team and just being a little kid… didn’t Mom always share in our glory?
How did she always know!
Proverbs 31:26-27 – (Solomon) “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
Unfortunately, I didn’t always pick up on what my Mom was trying to say or do as, once again, I was just a bratty little kid. But Mom, as all Mothers do, had more wisdom than me and always seemed to “know better” what was right from wrong.
I will never forget the lessons of my Mother as they have been engrained upon my heart.
A Blessing to Our Mother
I don’t know if any of you have ever thought about this but, in case you didn’t know, you are a blessing to your Mother.
Long before you came into this world, she thought about you. She wanted a son; a daughter and someone she could nurture, love and tend to throughout all the years of her life.
1 Samuel 1:26-28 – “’Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.’ And he worshiped the Lord there.”
You were born to your Mother, a gift from God, and a blessing unto her. Her prayers were answered and God delivered you to her… fulfilling every Mother’s dream.
Molded by Our Mother
Okay, here is one you probably hadn’t given much thought. Everything you are today… who you are; the way you think; the ways you feel… have all been “molded” by your Mother. With God’s help, she made us all who we are today.
Psalm 139:13 – “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
Comforted by Our Mother
Okay, a question for you. When you were hurt as a child, whether that be physically or emotionally, who was it you usually ran to? For me, this answer was clearly my Mom.
It seems to me that, as stated in Isaiah, our Mothers receive their comforting features directly from God.
Isaiah 66:13 – “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”
It is this verse right here, from our Bible, that clearly reminds us how Godly our Mothers truly are… their knowledge of providing us comfort, came from God!
Partner to Your Father
Despite what any Father may tell you, your Mother is clearly his partner. He chose her, from others, to spend his life with; to have his children; and care for his family for, as in Proverbs…
Proverbs 8:22: – The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.
Undying Love
I think this is what stands out above all other things our Mother is to us. No matter what we’ve done… in sadness and in joy… our Mothers have always been there for us.
Their gentle and caring nature, a gift from God, always shines above all else as testament of their undying Love for us.
Thessalonians 2:7 – “But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.”
This one you’d definitely have to agree with… your Mother, throughout your entire life, has given you unconditional love.
- She has sacrificed herself – How much has your Mother given up so you might have?
- She has given freely of herself – Everything she has, she has gladly given to you.
- She has reveled in your success – She has been to your various activities… being your cheerleader
- She has cried in your sorrow – If you shed tears, your Mother shed them with you.
- She has been there beside you – In anything you may have been through, good or bad, she is always there.
- She has denied herself for you – Here are things you may not know… has your Mother gone hungry that you might eat? Probably so.
The one simple fact that none of us can deny… our Mother truly loves us dearly.
Grandmother
I never want to leave the Grandmas out of this day. After all, they are Mothers too and have meant to your Mother all that she means to you.
Proverbs 17:6 – “Grandparents have the crowning glory of life: Grandchildren! And it’s only proper for children to take pride in their parents. “
Happy Mother’s Day Nana… thank you for your gift!
Knowing Your Mother
Sure, we all love our Mom… of this, there can be no doubt. My question to you this morning is, how well do you know your Mom.
I’d like to take just a few minutes to ask you some questions and then make a revelation to you after you’ve thought about your answers.
- Do you know where your Mom was born?
- What color are her eyes?
- Do you know her “natural” hair color?
- What schools did she attend?
- Where did she receive her first kiss and from whom?
- Do you know her favorite song, or group?
- What’s your Mom’s favorite food?
- What makes your Mom happy?
- What makes her sad?
Simple questions, right? Could you answer them all? To be honest, I couldn’t… most of them I didn’t have a clue.
Now for the revelation… your Mom knows all these things about you! Do you want to know why?
As I mentioned earlier, you are a gift to your Mother. Everything you do; everything you feel; and everything that has an impact on your life, your Mother knows… as you are her little one, her Angel sent from Heaven… and all that affects you, affects her.
In Conclusion
Let us celebrate our Mothers today! Know and understand all she feels for you and how much love she has given you and continues to give you each and every day of your lives.
If you’re fortunate to still have your Mother here with you, praise her today. Tell her openly how much you love her… let her know in earnest… not just a “Luv ya Ma” kind of thing but a “Mom, I truly love you so much!” kind of thing instead.
If, like mine, your Mother has gone home… call out to her in Heaven… let your voice be heard and tell her how much you love her; tell her you miss her but will see her one day again and, most of all… let her know you’re still trying your hardest to be the person she would want you to be… let her know you will never give up and always fight the battle… for her graciousness and all she has done for you!
Glory from God be to all our Mothers!
Go with God; be good to one another; always stay humble; always be kind… God Bless!