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Sunday Morning, May 11, 2008
Today is Mother's Day. One of our own mother's brought a challenging
message titled "A Mother After God’s Own Heart". Sis Debbie took her
text from Proverbs 31:10-31 and highlighted several expressions
throughout this scripture passage. Her outline is included below.
We
were thankful for every mother in attendance, including those
visiting. Each mother was presented with a special gift. We
dismissed our evening meeting to allow for the saints to spend the
day with their mothers, grandmothers, children and grandchildren.
Outline:
Mothering – a calling blest and ordained by God. God created humans
in his image, and between the man and the woman, they make up the
character of God.
Bible references of God being like a mother: Isa 49:15 Can a
mother forget her child? Isa 66:14 As a mother comforts her child,
so I will comfort you. Matthew 23:37 Hen and her chicks.
Motherhood is the emotional side of God. A mother nurtures, trains
her child by example. She is called to teach. And to give security
to her children. A hen will protect her chicks in a storm even if
she loses her own life.
Examine the word EL SHADDAI – a word used to describe God. Quote
from a book….
The
traditional translations of scripture have consistently rendered
this name “Almighty.” But to appreciate its full flavor, it will be
helpful to examine its Hebrew roots. EL is a shortened form of Elohim. It sets forth the might, the strength, the excellence of
God. Shad is the Hebrew word for breast. Shaddai pictures God’s
fullness or bounty, his tenderness, generosity, and desire to
nurture us and make us fruitful.
Don’t we see these characteristics in the ideal mother? Holding her
baby close to her heart. Looking out for his welfare.
Several biblical examples of Mother’s love/training
Mother as the teacher
How
can she be a teacher if she doesn’t know what she is teaching? Must
first have a knowledge and a passion for God. Her relationship with
God must already be established in order to teach children.
Ex’s. from my home. Mother read Ergermeier’s bible story book to
use when small. We also memorized scripture verses in the summer.
Maybe one verse a week. Mother also wrote on the paddle she
spanked us with, a scripture or saying. “It’s better to obey”.
My
mother modeled for me a passion for God. He was not a duty to her.
Come in from playing and find mother in basement by washer (clothes
in washer) and she would be standing there praying – pouring out her
heart to God. Other times, go to find mom and she would be in the
bedroom on her knees lost in prayer. Open the door and peak in.
Mother’s example makes me want to leave that example with my
children. That they will know I am a woman of prayer and devoted to
God. I want them to be able to ask me anything and want to have an
answer ready for them. If I don’t, I want to pray and study until I
do. Mother should be first source they go to when they are young
for their life’s questions.
Not
only mother’s but grandmothers can model a life devoted to God.
Think of my own grandmother. Think of Timothy’s grandmother (Lois).
My mom’s grandmother was an old free Methodist. Mom never saw her
angry or upset. Sometimes grandmothers can have influence where
mother’s don’t. Uncle Stanley’s grandmother.
Mother prays for her child
- Think of Hannah praying for Samuel before she had him, and I’m
sure it didn’t stop there.
- My parents prayed for us probably daily. Both with us and in
private.
-
Other families who have prayed and even fasted for salvation of
their children. Dr. and Mrs. Dobson, Billy Graham family,
Collingsworth Family (every Tues night)
What to pray for??
-
physical, emotional,
spiritual health
-
safety
-
courage to face
problems of the day
-
ears to hear God’s
voice
-
a willingness to
obey it
-
salvation of soul
-
generous spirit
towards others
-
a mind to learn
-
direction for life
-
Godly companions
-
Passion for Christ
Prayer doesn’t stop when they are grown. Input from older sisters?
Mothers are affectionate
(Titus 2:3-5)
Teach to love your children. This is phileo love. The affectionate
love. A love that enjoys her children – that likes them.
This is not easy when they are small and you are so overwhelmed with
all the work. Have to strive to focus on the good parts and not on
how much work the children cause you. Mothers with young children
especially need encouragement that it will not be that way forever.
Sis. Janie once pointed out a verse in bible to me. Psalms 113:9 He
make the barren woman…a joyful mother of children. A lot of times
after a woman has children she struggles with depression (post
partum). Also a struggle to be joyful, and show affection. Area she
must work on.
Mother provides for her children
food, nutrition, clean clothes, enough rest and sleep, a clean
house, clean bodies.
Full time job – a career actually to do it right. Some of the hats
moms where:
Counselor, referee, dietician, chef, maid, sanitation inspector,
comedian/entertainer, chauffeur, cheerleader, judge, seamstress,
financial planner, manager.
Who
else does all these jobs?
Find as a mom, to do all these things, I have to manage my time
well. Learn to say no. Keep a schedule of the important things
I need to do and stick to it. Prioritize and cross off what I
get accomplished.
Mothers are giving people
First they give themselves, then their time, then maybe a special
snack they were saving for themselves. They teach their children to
give to others cheerfully.
Law
of sowing and reaping. Gal 6:7 and 2 Cor 9:6 What we sow into our
children, we will reap. Just like investing. Don’t put much into
it, don’t get much out.
Mothers are encouraging
She
is the cheerleader of the family.
Prov 31 She opens her mouth with wisdom and kindness. I am still
working on this. My goal is to “let the words of my mouth be
acceptable in your sight.”
Mother makes the home a special place
-
Mom is the heart of
the home. She goes the extra mile to make special events for
her family.
-
creative mealtimes
(breakfast for supper)
-
picnics on grass
with the kids
-
Austin and I eating
on the picnic table attached to swing set.
-
Candlelight dinners
or soft music playing
-
Sometimes just get
out good dishes and silverware and have a fancy meal
-
Birthday parties
with themes.
-
Special memory of
mom. Reading to me in rocker before I went to kindergarten.
Favorite book about a kitten that lost his mommy and found her
at end of the book.
-
Creates surprises
and special memories for children.
We
want our home to be a place where kids are sorry to leave and can’t
wait to get back home.
Read quote from A woman after God’s own heart (pg 121, 122).
Prov 31 woman went the extra mile. She not only clothed her family
but clothed them well (with scarlet). Type of doing more than just
what is required.
Mother creates the atmosphere of home. (if momma aint happy, aint
nobody happy)
Mothers are industrious
Wise woman builds her house, but foolish tears it down. Prov 14:1)
Prov 31:27 she looks well to the ways of her house and eats not the
bread of idleness.
Wise woman will attend to needs of her home. Organization,
cleaning, she will be at home and not running other places all the
time, every day. She will not be wasting days. She is not just at
home, but a keeper of the home.
With slothfulness, the roof drops through (Ecc 10:18)
Mothers are focused
Focused on their home and family. Our family and children are 1st.
They need my main energy. Cannot give my energy away to everyone
else and have nothing left for them.
“Don’t give away to others what you have not first given away at
home.”
Quote from Eliz. George book. Pg 127-128
Be
careful about overbooking. Trying to do too much. A mother should
be there for her children, not everyone else. Make sure you are
there in body and attentive to your family. Kids should never be
starved for your attention. Be there to tuck them in bed, pray with
them, answer their questions. I don’t like to be gone in evenings
when it is bedtime.
God
made us first a mother and that should take precedence over everyone
even “church work”. Different times people have commented about my
parents and way they raised us – how we all turned out. My parents
did not overbook. They were focused on us.
Mothers guard and protect their home
Mother watches over children’s health, nutrition, family finances
(she considers a field and buys), she is financially savvy, she
models giving to children (stretches forth her hand to needed). She
sees that the children are clothed.
She
is aware of children’s development, faults, strengths, and helps
steer them in right direction. Gives support in their weakness,
helps them overcome.
V21. Guarding home against the “snow” – hard times don’t hurt us
because we are prepared emotionally.
Even when children are grown and gone, still there to give guidance
and advice.
Dad
relied on grandmother to talk things over with. She was a wise
woman.
As
children grow up and leave, a good mother is able to let go and not
control.
Thankful that I had this kind of mother. Wonderful example of godly
mother. Not everyone can be a mom, but we can all learn from these
characteristics because there is such a thing as Spiritual
Mothering. God refers to his church as a spiritual mother and this
lesson applies spiritually as well. Hope to look into that more
deeply with a follow up lesson sometime.
Thank God for all our mothers and all they do for their children. |
