Today is Mother’s Day and I’ve got to take this opportunity to share with the moms who are with us today. Mom, you are a treasure. You are a priceless treasure, a gift from God. You probably don’t hear “thank you” nearly enough. The selfless acts of service you offer over and over again for your family often goes unnoticed, but you need to know that you are a treasure.
Today is your special day and we are here to bestow on you the coveted title of “Doctor of the Year” for the nights you have sat up with sick kiddos, for the remedies you have provided for their recovery, and best of all, your bedside manner. We’ve come to present you with the “Protector of the Year” award for the nights you’ve snuggled with your kids who were scared because the thunder and lightning shook the house or because they heard something outside. Your words of comfort and strong arms of protection are more valuable than having the Navy Seals and Army Rangers posted at the front door. We’ve also come to award you with the “Counselor of the Year” award for the advice that you have given free of charge to your kids when life was perplexing and confusing them. These are just a sampling of the many wonderful things you do to bless the lives of those the Lord has placed in your care. I’ve not even mentioned the meals you’ve cooked, the diapers you’ve changed, the clothes you’ve kept clean, the homework you’ve helped with, the bedtime stories you’ve read, and the prayers you pray day-in and day-out. Mom, you are a treasure.
Moms come in all shapes and sizes. They have different styles and methods of doing what they do. Some moms are more committed to the call of God for their kids than others, but make no mistake about it—loving, providing for, and shaping the lives of kids is Kingdom work. Moms need God’s help. Moms need God’s Word for guidance, encouragement, support, and strength. Moms need other moms, older moms, to listen, teach, and encourage them along the way. Moms need fathers who will appreciate and support them. We like to make motherhood out to be a fairy tale story, but the truth is that motherhood can push a woman to the outer limits of frustration and insanity. If you don’t believe me then either you are not a mom or you just haven’t held that title long enough.
I want to appreciate you who are mothers today. I want to encourage you to continue to do what God has called you to do. I also want to be honest. Let’s face the facts; the simple mention of the word “mom” elicits all kinds of responses from people. Some have had moms who have abandoned them. Others have had moms who mentored them in all of the wrong ways and led them down dark paths. Some kids have even died at the hands of their own mother. The mention of the word, “mom,” can stir all kinds of feelings, but a mother after God’s own heart is a beautifully strange creature. A mother who is first and foremost a woman after God’s own heart will give and give and there is no way that she will ever receive from those she so freely gives to in equal proportion to what she has given. The sacrificial love of a godly mother is a beautiful thing to behold. (more…)
