Why, I Love Mom!
Thesis: Proverbs 31:10-31 reminds us why we love our godly moms. Why, because she is a living sacrifice. Why, because she is a spiritual role - model. Why, because she wants to thrive not just survive. Why, because she knows her life and family work has divine purpose.
Mother’s Day Power Point presentation honoring all the godly moms at New Life Community Church.
Opening Illustration:
Erma Bombeck wrote this essay entitled, When God Created Women. “By the time the Lord made mothers, he was into his sixth day of working overtime. An Angel appeared and said "Why are you spending so much time on this one?" And the Lord answered and said, "Have you seen the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have 200 movable parts, all replaceable, run on black coffee and leftovers, have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up, have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart, and have six pairs of hands,"
The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one. "Six pairs of hands! No Way!", said the Angel. The Lord replied, "Oh, it’s not the hands that are the problem. It’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have! One pair of eyes are to see through the closed doors when she asks, “What are you kids doing in there?” Another pair in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn’t but what she has to know. And of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say, “I understand and I love you without uttering so much as a word.
The Angel tried to stop the Lord. "This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish." "But I can’t!", the Lord protested, "I am so close to finishing a creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine year old to stand in the shower! The Angel moved closer and touched the woman. "But you have made her so soft, Lord." "She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish." "Will she be able to think?", asked the Angel. The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason, and negotiate," The Angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman’s cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak with this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one." "That’s not a leak", the Lord objected, "That’s a tear!" "What’s the tear for?", the Angel asked. The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride," The Angel was impressed. "You are a genius Lord, this woman is amazing.”
Contributed to Sermon Central by: Aaron Burgess
Introduction:
Today is Mothers Day a day to honor and uplift the glorious job of mothering at New Life Community Church and in the world. It’s that special day set aside to give praise to the work of motherhood. This task is often a thankless job, a wearisome job, but it is a vitally important job. Our President agrees that Mother’s are vital to our nation. He states:
Mothers are central to the success of the American family. Their love, dedication, and wisdom touch countless lives every day in every community throughout our land. And their love and guidance of children help to develop healthy and spiritually sound families. President John Quincy Adams once said, “All that I am my mother made me.” President Abraham Lincoln believed, “All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother. I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” These statements are just as true for the millions of Americans who credit their mothers for helping to successfully shape their lives.
George W. Bush: Contributed to Sermon Central by: Donnie Martin
Being a mother or a parent is a costly job but yet it is the most rewarding job out there today.
D. Greg Ebie notes this about the cost of raising children today:
I heard an interesting news item this week. According to the US Government it will now cost $160,140 for the average middle class American family to raise a child to the age 18. If you are quick on the draw with your math facts you just estimated what it may cost you to raise your children. For Susie and I, if the estimates are correct, it will cost us around $800,000 to raise our 5 kids, and that doesn’t include college! We could be over one million dollars if you were to add college costs for our five kids.
When you stop to think about it, the cost of raising our kids is still a real bargain. $160,140 over eighteen years works out to only about $8,897 per year, or just $741 per month. Now that is only $24.37 per day or about $1 per hour. That’s a deal!
Some might argue that investing our money in something other than children would give us a better return on our money. With the right investment strategy parents could skip having the kids and just get rich. Before we jump to any conclusions, just what can you get for your investment of $160,140 per child these days? For only about $1 per hour you will receive the following:
(I have re-wrote this section to apply to me and to my daddy experiences.)
To witness those baby’s first steps, and their first words, "Mama, Daddy!"
The awesome chance to play tickle monster, and to blow raspberries on their tummies and here that giggle.
Those wonderful opportunities to feel those small hands that hold on very tight to your finger as you look at them in awe.
The moment in time when you are walking and that little hand reaches up to take your hand.
To experience those lasting butterfly kisses from my kids as they looked me in the eye.
The times when I would come home from traveling and experience those hug’s and kisses.
The chance to read those story books to them and see their imaginations light up.
I recall all those bedtime prayers to peek inside their hearts and little minds. I miss praying with my kids at night like when we did as kids. Teens today don’t think that’s cool!
More "I love you-s" than I could ever count.
I recall the times of playing in the leaves in the fall at the camp I can still here all the laughter and the fun.
I recall the times when we built snowmen in the fresh snow. When we tried to catch snowflakes on our tongues.
All those moments when we celebrated personal victories with them or the times we helped wipe the tears away after a personal defeat.
Those moments in time when you sat back and watched them shine for Jesus.
As the MasterCard commercial would say, "Raising your kids to 18: $160,140. All the love and laughter you get through those 18 years: PRICELESS!"
Contributed to sermon Central by: D. Greg Ebie
Being a parent-especially a mother has those priceless moments that all the money in the world could not buy. So moms “Happy Mothers Day- We all love your sacrificial love for us!”
(A tribute for Mothers on Mother’s Day, from an email, author unknown)
This is for all the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf full of Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It’s OK honey, Mommy’s here."
This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.
This is for all the mothers who froze their buns off on metal bleachers at football or soccer games, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn’t have missed it for the World!”
This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies; and for all the mothers who wanted to but just couldn’t.
This is for all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again, "Just one more time."
This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.
This is for all mothers whose heads turn automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own are at home.
This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can’t find the words to reach them.
For all the mothers who bite their lips sometimes until they bleed--when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.
This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they’ll never see. And for the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.
This is for mothers who put pinwheels and teddy bears on their children’s graves.
This is for mothers of children with severe limitations. Your freedom has been exchanged for cherished service of love.
This is for those who have lost their mothers and would give anything to take them out to lunch today.
This is for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation. And mature mothers learning to let go and let their kids spread their wings.
For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers, single mothers and married mothers. Mothers with money, mothers without money or things but big open hearts of love.
This is for you all. Happy Mother’s Day! We love you all! So hang in there. You’re doing a great job that will last for eternity! (I add keep it up!)
Contributed to Sermon Central by: Kenneth Squires
Scripture Text: Proverbs 31:10-31 (NIV)
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
I. Proverbs tells us that we need to love our godly mothers because she knows what it means to be a living sacrifice for her Lord and her family.
A. Proverbs 31:10 –19 (reflections from above)
B. Romans 12:1: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
i. Just sit back and think for a moment. Meditate on all those things your mothers did for you and do for you. There are countless sacrifices, countless moments of her giving of her time, her love, her money, and her support. Do you see them? Do you remember them?
ii. Moms your kids may not recall all of them but I want you to know that the Lord is watching and He will never forget any of them. As a matter a fact He will give you a great reward for your sacrificial love and service to your family.
C. M-O-T-H-E-R
"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 of purest gold;
"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
"R" means right, and right she’ll always be,
Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER,"
A word that means the world to me.
~By Howard Johnson~
T.S. – Proverbs the book of wisdom reminds us of the sacrificial love our mothers have for us and why we need to tell them thank you and also why we should show them our love. We are also reminded to praise them for their divine spiritual insight and direction throughout our lives.
II. Proverbs tells us we need to love our godly mothers because she role-models and gives spiritual wisdom and insight to the family unit.
A. Proverbs 31:26: She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
i. Stories for preachers reminds us about our mothers:
1. "Do not forsake the law of your mother" (Prov. 1:8). The law of your mother--unwritten, but indelibly stamped upon your mind! It’s the law of love, of kindness, of selflessness, of giving! Motherhood--just think of its blessings, joys, sorrows, challenges and triumphs. There’s no greater ecstasy than holding her newborn, and no greater anguish than the broken heart a child may cause. A mother’s love is the nearest thing on earth to God’s love. The wisdom of God is exhibited in motherhood. We are not the by-product of some impersonal biological process. We were not made on an assembly line by the combination of chemicals. Our mothers nurtured us and formed an intimate relationship with us before we were born. She jeopardized her life for us. The greatest lessons we have ever learned have come from loving, caring, sacrificing mothers who were always available to us. A woman’s greatest, most fulfilling and far-reaching role is expressed in motherhood. LET US THANK GOD FOR CHRISTIAN MOTHERS! Let us be sensitive and grateful, not only on Mother’s Day--but everyday for our mothers and the mother of our children.
2. James Keller states, “Every mother has the breath-taking privilege of sharing with God in the creation of new life.”
a. And when God places you in charge of that task and job it means that you instill in that child the knowledge and the necessity of that child giving them selves back to the Lord.
b. There is no greater Job on the earth.
i. "Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall." Thanks for catching mom!
c. "The mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom."
~By Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)~
T.S. - Proverbs reminds us that we should love and honor our mothers because of their spiritual guidance to us. But we also should praise mom for her willingness to watch over our individual lives and her willingness to push us to be all that we can be.
III. Proverbs tells us that we need to love our godly mothers because she is not satisfied with just surviving day buy day but she wants to help her family to thrive and be alive.
A. Proverbs 31:27: She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
B. A noble woman is one who is willing to pay the price of confronting in love things that are not right within the family unit. She is one who is willing to pay the price of conflict to help her children and husband be all that God has called them to be.
i. Blessed is the mother who understands her child, for she shall inherit a kingdom of memories.
ii. Blessed is the mother who knows how to comfort, for she shall possess a child’s devotion.
iii. Blessed is the mother who guides by the path of righteousness, for she shall be proud of her offspring.
iv. Blessed is the mother who is never shocked, for she shall receive confidences.
v. Blessed is the mother who teaches respect, for she shall be respected.
vi. Blessed is the mother who emphasizes the good and minimizes the bad, for in like manner the child shall make evaluations.
vii. Blessed is the mother who treats her child as she would be treated, for her home shall be filled with happiness.
viii. Blessed is the mother who answers simply the startling questions, for she shall always be trusted.
ix. Blessed is the mother who has character strong enough to withstand the thoughtless remarks and resentments of the growing child, for again, in due time, she shall be honored (Beatitudes of Mothers, from stories for Preachers).
C. At a banquet, the mother of George Washington was sitting beside a distinguished French officer. Turning to Washington’s mother, the officer asked, "How have you managed to rear such a splendid son?" She replied, "I taught him to obey." Too many people have a strong "will" and a weak "won’t." (Stories for Preachers).
D. Dr. G. Cambell Morgan had four sons. They all became ministers. At a family reunion, a friend asked one of the sons, “Which Morgan is the greatest preacher?” While the son looked at the father, he replied, “Mother!” -WBK
T.S. - We should praise our mothers for their willingness to have corrected us and to have pushed us to be the men and women that God wanted us to be. We are also exhorted in Proverbs to praise our moms because their work has a divine purpose behind it.
IV. Proverbs tells us that we need to love our godly mothers because she knows that her life and family work is for a divine purpose.
A. Proverbs 31:30: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
i. There is an epitaph on one man’s wives tombstone which was written by her husband of 60 years, “She always made home happy!”
B. Poem: MORE THAN A MOTHER
When God set the world in place,
when He hung the stars up in space,
when He made the land and the sea,
then He made you and me.
He sat back and saw all that was good,
He saw things to be as they should.
Just one more blessing He had in store;
He created a mother, but whatever for?
He knew a mother would have a special place
to shine His reflection on her child’s face.
A mother will walk the extra mile
just to see her children smile.
She’ll work her fingers to the bone
to make a house into a home.
A mother is there to teach and guide,
a mother will stay right by your side.
She’ll be there through your pain and strife,
she’ll stay constant in your life.
A mother will lend a helping hand
until you have the strength to stand.
She’ll pick you up when you are down,
when you need a friend she’ll stick around.
A mother is one who listens well,
will keep her word; will never tell.
A mother never pokes or pries
but stands quietly by your side,
giving you the strength you need,
encouraging you to succeed.
A mother is one who can be strong
when you need someone to lean on.
You’re more than a mother to me;
a reflection of Him in your face I see,
a love that knows no boundaries.
I’m glad that you chose to be
all this and more to me.
You share a love that knows no end,
you’re more than my mother,
you are my friend.
~By Kari Keshmiry~
C. A MOTHER’S LOVE
There are times when only a Mother’s love
Can understand our tears,
Can soothe our disappoints
And calm all of our fears.
There are times when only a Mother’s love
Can share the joy we feel
When something we’ve dreamed about
Quite suddenly is real.
There are times when only a Mother’s faith
Can help us on life’s way
And inspire in us the confidence
We need from day to day.
For a Mother’s heart and a Mother’s faith
And a Mother’s steadfast love
Were fashioned by the Angels
And sent from God above. ~Author Unknown~
C. "The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness." ~By Honore’ de Balzac (1799-1850)
D. Rick Warren stated, “There is nothing quite as potent as a focused life, one lived on purpose. The men and women who have made the greatest difference in history were the most focused” (32).
i. Susannah Wesley was a great Christian mother. Despite the fact that she had nineteen children, she found time to give each child and hour’s religious education each week. Her most renowned sons were Charles and John Wesley. They turned the spiritual tides of England toward God in a dark hour (Knight, 227).
1. She once said: ‘I was not content with my private prayer for my children, nor with our family prayers for them. Therefore, as my children grew old enough to make a personal decision for Christ, I took each one to my private place of prayer. There I poured out my soul for that one individually!”
ii. General Douglas MacArthur stated, “My sainted mother taught me a devotion to God and a love of country which have ever sustained me in my many lonely and bitter moments of decision in distant and hostiles lands. To her, I yield anew a son’s reverent thanks.”
Conclusion:
Proverbs paints a very clear picture that the family, the husband, yes even the kids need to praise their mothers for their sacrificial lives and for their diligent work on behalf of the family unit.
Proverbs 31:28, 31:
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
I believe each of us this Mother’s Day need to do the following and express our gratitude to our moms as to why, we love them.
Dear Mom;
As I walk through my museum of memories,
I owe you …for your time, day and night.
I owe you …for your example, consistent and dependable.
I owe you …for your support, stimulating and challenging.
I owe you …for your humor, spunky and quick.
I owe you …for your counsel, wise and quiet.
I owe you… for your humility, genuine and gracious.
I owe you …for your hospitality, smiling and warm.
I owe you …for your insight, keen and honest.
I owe you …for your flexibility, patient and joyful.
I owe you …for your sacrifices, numerous and quickly forgotten.
I owe you …for your faith, solid and sure.
I owe you …for your hope, ceaseless and indestructible.
I owe you …for your love, devoted and deep.
Closing Challenge:
We owe our mother’s today the following:
A “I Love You”
A “Thank You”
A “Word of Praise”
So go to your moms home or call today and bring her you gifts of love and appreciation but most of all make sure you give your mom your time today. That’s what she really wants!
