Hi, this is pastor Ken and these are my thoughts on a Thursday…A Day to Celebrate Mom!
Proverbs 31:25-31 speaks of the virtuous mother. That scripture is paraphrased in the Living Bible as follows: She is a woman of strength and dignity and has no fear of old age. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says. She watches carefully all that goes on throughout her household and is never lazy. Her children stand and bless her; so does her husband. He praises her with these words: “There are many fine women in the world, but you are the best of them all!” Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn’t last, but a woman who fears and reverences God shall be greatly praised. Praise her for the many fine things she does. These good deeds of hers shall bring her honor and recognition from people of importance.
Moms are incredible people. There is no part of their being that is not impacted by being a mom. Their bodies are literally stretched to allow them to carry a baby to full term in pregnancy. The imposition on them does not start or stop there though. They are impacted hormonally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially…Moms are affected by being moms in every conceivable way (and yes, that pun was intended). Additionally, there doesn’t seem to be an expiration date on being a mom. I have a theory that every mom upon holding her child in the first moments of bonding looks into that child’s eyes and says to herself, “I am going to be this baby’s mommy forever!”
When I think of the moms that are a personal part of my life I can fairly quickly become overwhelmed with all that they have added to my life. The scripture above describes the kind of mom that is virtuous or in other words fulfilling her calling as a godly mom. It names several of her virtuous characteristics, many of which I see in the women in my life that are moms. It also predicts that this kind of mom will be called blessed by both their children and their husband.
When I think of those women in my life who are moms, naturally my first thoughts go toward my own mother. She is a woman full of grace and dignity. She selflessly concerns herself with those around her. Though daily she suffers physically she focuses on the needs of those she loves and not on her own body’s weaknesses. She has always been industrious and has taken great joy in providing well for her family. And yes, I will always be her baby…even at 56 years of age if I enter her home she will seek to meet any need I may have though it is obvious to both of us that I could “do it myself”. Mom is able to be who she is because of Jesus…without Him she wouldn’t be capable of any of it. I think she would also tell you that it took a lot of Jesus to raise her three boys.
The second mom that comes to mind is my sweet wife. If my mom had her hands full raising three boys it was at the very least an equal challenge for my wife to raise four girls and one boy. When I think of her several characteristics come to mind. Loving, careful, tenacious, supportive, and fun those are only the beginnings of a complete list. We have a blended family and those come with their own set of challenges. Not to use a cliché but she is not a step-mom, but she is a mom who stepped up and into my children’s lives. When we married she understood that she was not marrying a man only, but another entire family and she did so with an open heart and open arms. I watched in awe over the years as she interacted with each of our five children in ways that were clearly for their best even if it made her life more difficult. It is absolutely true that there are many fine women in the world but that she is the best of them all!
I also have daughters who are moms. Next to my mom and my wife, they are the best moms I know. When I watch them interact with their children I see the following qualities that make them virtuous moms; encouragement, patience, gentleness and kindheartedness just to name a few. One of our daughters has not yet become a mom physically but has one of the best “mom hearts” I have ever seen. Her unconditional acceptance of each of her nephews and nieces has no limits, and I know that the children God will eventually gift her with will be blessed by her all the more for her experience.
What words come to mind when you rise up and call the moms in your life blessed? This Mother’s Day I encourage you to do more than send a card or flowers or give your mom a gift. There is nothing wrong with those things and I know they are appreciated by moms everywhere. However, I encourage each of you to additionally take the Proverbs 31 challenge. Stand up and bless the moms in your life, consider carefully the words you would use to describe their best mom characteristics…and then let them know.
Proverbs 31:31 Give her the reward she has earned; she should be praised in public for what she has done. (New Century Version)
So now, this Mother’s Day, stand up and give honor to the moms in your life…go tell her why you think she is so awesome!