Bradley United Methodist Church

AN HISTORIC CHURCH LIVING FOR TODAY,
WITH A VISION FOR TOMORROW

210 W. Main Street, Greenfield, Indiana 46140-2097            Telephone: 317-462-2662
E-Mail: info@BradleyUMC.org

Our purpose is to grow people to:  magnify God,
become members of Christ and His Church,
be mature in Christ, minister through Christ,
and be in mission with Christ.

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1. for some, motherhood is an accident, and not always a welcome one;>
2. for some, biological motherhood isn’t possible;
3. for some, mothers weren’t all that nice;
4. for some, motherhood under the very best of circumstances is still less than a bed of roses.

So, with all its stumbling blocks, pitfalls and broken dreams, for all the soiled diapers, soiled wallpaper and spoiled plans, we’re talking about a beautiful ideal, a natural part of God’s creative plan to bring love and caring to light.^[i]

According to Hallmark, around 96 percent of American consumers take part in Mother’s Day in some way. No one deserves a special day all to herself more than today’s Mom. A cartoon showed a psychologist talking to his patient: “Let’s see,” he said, “You spend 50 percent of your energy on your job, 50 percent on your husband and 50 percent on your children. I think I see your problem.”

I. Mothers take care of us.
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. ²He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, ³he restores my soul.”

Like a good shepherd taking care of the helpless flock, Godly mothers meet our needs and teach us how to get them met. Train us by their interactions with us to look at the world with hope or not. By their provision we learn trust in life. They provide life, food, clothing, protection, holding and affection, continuity. This provision is the foundation on which our life is built.

“Once the New York Times was asked to help a group of club women decide on the twelve greatest women in the United States. After due consideration, the editors replied, ‘The twelve greatest women in the United States are women who have never been heard of outside of their own homes.’”
“Who was greater, Thomas A. Edison or his mother? When he was a young lad his teacher sent him home with a note which said, ‘Your child is dumb. We can’t do anything for him.’ Mrs. Edison wrote back, ‘You do not understand my boy. I will teach him myself’. And she did, with results that are well known.”^[ii]

Godly mothers take care of us and help ensure we are able to become all we were created by God to be. Too often motherhood is a thankless job. If you can, thank your mother for all she has done for you. If you cannot, be grateful in your heart.

II. Mothers help teach us right from wrong so we will live long and well.
“He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

A woman was walking with her young daughter. The little girl picked up something from the ground and started to put it in her mouth, but the mother told her to throw it away because it was dirty with germs.
“Mommy, how do you know so much?” the girl asked.
“Well, it’s on the mommy test,” her mother replied. “You have to know all about such things or you don’t get to be a mommy.”
The daughter thought about it a moment, then replied, “OK, I get it. So if you flunk the test you have to be a daddy.”

Ephesians 6:2-3-“’Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³’that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’”

These are things that mom teaches and they have the promise of blessing our lives for the long term, not just for today by keeping us out of trouble. She teaches manners, get along better in life, good habits, get along with people, etc. Listen to these things Mom Would Never Say:

1. “How on earth can you see the TV sitting so far back?”
2. “Let me smell that shirt—Yeah, it’s good for another week.”
3. “Go ahead and keep that stray dog, honey. I’ll be glad to feed and walk him every day.”
4. “Well, if Timmy’s mom says it’s OK, that’s good enough for me.”
5. “The curfew is just a general time to shoot for. It’s not like I’m running a prison around here.”
6. “I don’t have a tissue with me . . . just use your sleeve.”
7. “Don’t bother wearing a jacket—the wind-chill is bound to improve.”

Mother’s teaching helps us know right and wrong and enable us to live well throughout our lives.

III. Mothers are famous for giving us comforting love when we are hurting.
“⁴Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

In the Hebrew language of the Old Testament the word for “compassion” comes from the root word, “womb.” The picture is of a birthing. Something new is being born. If I apply this in a human experience, it means that my compassionate acts always give the other person another chance. I do not hold past failures against them. I offer a “fresh start.” I want this for myself from others. Am I willing to give it to the other person? Such compassion will dramatically change the way we relate to each other.^[iii] Isaiah 66:13-“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17-“pray continually;”
Pray for God’s plan, not yours, when praying for your children.
Pray that you will see your child like God sees your child.
Pray specifically for your child. “Lord, I pray that Danna, would cast all her anxiety upon You, because You care for her.” (1 Peter 5:7)

IV. Mother’s teach us how to face life’s situations.
“⁵You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

Mothers teach us how to face life’s challenges (having confidence), temptations (be wise and think about the consequences), and successes (be a good winner). Proverbs 22:6 (NCV)-“Train children how to live right, and when they are old, they will not change.” The original root word for “train” is the term for “the palate, the roof of the mouth, the gums.” In the days of Solomon, a midwife would deliver the baby and massage the gums and palate to create a sense of taste and thirst. She would then give the child to the mother so the baby could nurse. One of a mother’s job as mothers is to develop a thirst in their children for the right things. And that takes time.

Begin by knowing your child, their personality, their likes, etc.: For example, you shouldn’t train an introvert like an extrovert, and vice versa. Then give your children:

• Values—Ideals by which to live. “Treat others like you want to be treated because people matter.” “People matter more than things.” “Do your best, try your hardest and whether you accomplish or not, you will succeed.”
• Scriptural wisdom—“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” “Forgive other people as you have been forgiven.”
• Goals—Reasons to not compromise today and lose tomorrow.

V. Mother’s love is unconditional and gives us security in which to live.
“⁶Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

A godly mother’s love is the closes thing to God’s love we know in this world. Giving us life, unconditional love, support, sacrifice, just like God. She learns it from her relationship with God. 1 John 4:19 (NCV)-“We love because God first loved us.”

Moms can do everything except fill our lives with the actual presence, power, and permanence of God. Only God through our faith in Jesus Christ can do that. But even then, mom can help God by living the Faith, talking about the Faith, and teaching the Faith—even as she teaches other important life lessons.

What will you do now?
Billy Graham’s wife, Ruth Bell Graham said, “As a mother, my job is to take care of what is possible and trust God with the impossible.” “Mom”—is an important job—a hard job—God will help you if you ask Him.
1 Thessalonians 5:24-“The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” Amen.