Things My Mother Said

"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.