Mother’s Day

Today is a very special day for all Moms as we pay tribute to our upbringing and the woman that held our hands, guided our footsteps and nourished our stomachs through childhood and into our adult lives. They taught us how to Love, how not to hate and when and why to stand up for ourselves in any given situation.

Our Mothers always seemed strong, especially in difficult times where, to us, we didn’t see a happy outcome. Mom could and would always keep our hearts at ease and comfort us through whatever pain we were going through. Remember your youth and the things your Mother has done for you!

I came across this little anecdote on the Internet using the word M-O-T-H-E-R to help describe our Moms using a single word and thought I would share it with you. It made sense to me and factually described the way I felt about my own Mom.

M – is for the million things she gave me,
O – means only that she’s growing old,
T – is for the tears she shed to save me,
H – is for her heart as pure as gold,
E – is for her eyes with love-light shining,
R – means she’s right and right she’ll always be.

You will find reference to a Mother throughout the Bible beginning in…

Genesis 3:20 – Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the Mother of all the living.

Imagine that, Eve was the Mother of all the living… that’s you and me! Eve was our Great Nana!

Love…

Our mothers were taught to Love from biblical days. It’s something they have carried-down from generation to generation, grandmother to mother and mother to daughter. It just seems to be a part of their very being.

Titus 2:3-5 – ^”3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”

Thessalonians 2:7 – ”But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.”

I have no doubt you have felt the love from your mother and, even if she has gone home, it’s still in your heart.

A lot of what I speak about today comes from the knowledge of Solomon in Proverbs. I highly suggest you browse through this chapter as it contains many things we all could learn and help us understand a lot more about life and how it should be lived.

Respect…

It is no secret we should all respect and honor both our parents at all times. We’re told this in Exodus 20:12 – Honor your Mother and Father, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you.

Our Lord speaks of this respect for our Mother and reminds us to follow in her footsteps in…

Proverbs 6:20-22 where he tells us “My child, obey your father’s Godly instruction and follow your mother’s life-giving teaching. Fill your heart with their advice and let your life be shaped by what they’ve taught you. Their wisdom will guide you wherever you go and keep you from bringing harm to yourself. Their instruction will whisper to you at every sunrise and direct you through a brand new day”

Let’s talk about this a little more for a moment. “Follow your Mother’s life-giving teaching.” Didn’t we all receive lessons from our Mom? I most certainly did. It seemed to me as if every time I was “lectured” or “scolded” about something I had done wrong, she always seemed to be right there… “keeping me from bringing harm to myself.” If she were alive today, I’m sure I’d still be getting “spankings” for all of my wrong-doings.

 Wisdom…

How many of us believe in our Mother’s wisdom? Personally, my Mother was no rocket-scientist but when it came to the things of this world, I knew no one wiser and always heeded every piece of advice she would give me.

Proverbs 1:7-9 –” The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head, and ornaments about your neck.”

Our Mothers grew older and we have certainly grown-up… or have we? Isn’t there still much to learn from our Mom? As we just read, Proverbs talks about “their wisdom” and I, for one, truly believe we should understand that. With age, comes wisdom and I’m not afraid to tell you there are probably more things your Mother has gone through than you could possibly imagine. Give her the respect she has earned and listen to her lesson… I can assure you, it is all for your good.

Proverbs 31:25-31 – ”Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” To me, that says it all. Our Mothers have always been and will always be our teachers. They speak from knowledge and always with kind words.

Grandma…

Let’s not forget our Grandmother on this day as well. After all, they are the Mothers of our Mother…

Proverbs 17:6 – “Grandparents have the crowning glory of life: Grandchildren! And it’s only proper for children to take pride in their parents. “

Your grandparents are where your mother’s lessons began. She has learned well from them and, just like us, continues to learn more with each passing day.

 Partners…

Remember last week when we discussed our relationships and that of the one with our partner? How they have tolerated so much with us and still remain by our side and, with some of us, this has been quite a long time. The Bible teaches us to respect our wives on this day as well… husbands, do not forget your wives, the Mother of your children on this day!

 Proverbs 5:18 – ”Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.”

Proverbs 8:22: – The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.

 Give Praise to God for our Mothers…

The Bible also teaches us about remembering to praise God for the miracle of life and for the role our Mothers play…

Psalm 139:13 –”You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and you wove them all together in my mother’s womb.”

One of my favorite verses in the Bible told to me by my Mother when I was feeling lost and afraid…

Isaiah 41:13 – ”For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.”

She would always remind me of this verse and, when she repeated it out loud, I’d say… “Mommy, that’s you!”

I hope you don’t mind but as I was browsing through, of all things, Facebook where I came upon this poem from a son, separated by miles from his Mother, had learned of her illness in March of 2014. I’d like to share this with you. These were the words he sent to her…

You taught me how to live my life,
to be a man sincere.
You gave me strength when I was weak,
I never, lived in fear.

You showed me what was right and wrong,
I never had a doubt.
My Mother’s Love is deep within,
and stays with me throughout.

The Angels are so close right now,
they kneel beside your bed.
I hope they bring some peace to you,
and help to clear your head.

They bring to you a kiss from me,
and then give you another.
The one from them shall lift your soul,
but mine, is for my Mother.

I Love you Mom!

Unfortunately, she passed and, once again, continuing through Facebook I found this poem from the same son. It basically speaks of the way he was raised in remembrance of his Mom.

You gave me life, against all odds,
and trusted God to do so.
I never knew, where you found strength,
but here is what I do know.

Your heart was pure, an Angel’s touch,
your soul, was oh so tender.
I always found such peace with you,
the Love, you’d always render.

You wiped my tears, a million times,
and calmed my angry heart.
Your lessons taught, will stay with me,
and always play their part.

You listened to the songs I sang,
I watched, as tears would flow.
Your pride in me, gave me a path,
I’d find the way to go.

You watched me play my high school games,
as you ran interference.
I learned to stand, and brush my knees,
from Mother’s, perseverance

Your family meant the world to you,
regardless of our choices.
You taught us how to trust in God,
and heed the Angel’s voices.

As far as Love, you knew this well,
and showered us each day.
I never will forget your heart,
your kind and gentle way.

I miss you Mom and always will,
and never to forget you.
Your words will always guide my way,
the righteous trail, as you’d do.

I hope you enjoyed those. If you didn’t I’m sorry. If you did, I’m proud to say the son was me from 2014 when I learned my Mom had become ill and passed away shortly after. I Loved and treasured my Mother dearly and even though the distance kept us apart, she was always a huge part of my heart.

Love your Mothers on this day and every day that follows. Be reminded of their wisdom and never take for granted the knowledge they have and the lessons they have already been through and try to steer you away from… Trust me, they can see what’s coming in your future and, even though their words seem harsh at times, they’re only trying to Love and protect you as they have been in your shoes!

Love your Mothers… Go with God… Be Good to One Another… Humble and Kind!

Another poem… if you want one?

You taught me to laugh,
when I wanted to cry.
You dealt with my stupid,
and never asked why.

You demanded that sugar
darn-it and dang,
were the only cross words
in that house that rang.

You taught me that gentle
is stronger than brawn
where kindness is practiced
we never go wrong.

The years have been hard
and your health may be failing
you forget things you’ve done
but your heart is prevailing.

I know you can’t hear me
from so far away
I wish I could be there
to share in this day.

Though miles away
and far out of reach
I promise to practice
the lessons you teach.

Always the gentle one,
thinking of others.
Never been selfish,
the best of all Mothers!

I Love You Mom!