How to HONOR Our Mothers

Introduction: How many of you ever watch the movie: E.T.? There is a scene in the movie where E.T. repeats the words, E.T. Phone Home. Why did E.T. say, Phone Home? Well, I think it was Mother’s Day and like all good sons and daughters he wanted to talk to his mom! There is a subliminal message in that joke for all children today.

The History of Mother’s Day

Our modern celebration of Mother's Day began in the early 20th century. In 1908, Anna Jarvis, an activist and social worker, held a memorial for her mother, Ann Jarvis, who had been a peace activist and had cared for wounded soldiers during the Civil War. Anna Jarvis wanted to honor her mother's memory and the sacrifices that all mothers make for their children, and she began campaigning for a national holiday to celebrate Mother's Day.

Jarvis organized the first official Mother's Day celebration in 1908 at a church in West Virginia. She continued to advocate for the holiday, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring Mother's Day a national holiday to be held on the second Sunday in May.

However, Jarvis soon became disillusioned with the commercialization of the holiday, as companies began to profit from the sale of cards, flowers, and gifts. She spent the latter part of her life campaigning against the commercialization of Mother's Day and encouraging people to celebrate the holiday by spending time with their mothers and showing appreciation for their love and sacrifice.

Don’t miss Mother’s Day original purpose:It was created for the purpose of spending time with mothers and showing appreciation for their love and sacrifice.

Today, Mother's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, although the date and customs vary. In the United States, it is typically celebrated on the second Sunday in May and is a day for children to express their love and appreciation for their mothers through cards, gifts, and special outings.

This day is a special day to celebrate and honor the women who gave us life and the women who have nurtured us. It's a time to reflect on the love, care, and sacrifices that mothers make for their children. Today, I want to share with you some thoughts on how we can honor our mothers.

I. Honor your mother with your WORDS – Exodus 20:12; Leviticus 19:3; Proverbs 31:2

· Exodus 20:12– “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”

· Leviticus 19:3 – “Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father.”

· Proverbs 31:28- "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

The word “honor” means “giving weight to” or “seriously considering a relationship.” This word speaks of the VALUE of something we hold dear. Moms’ ought to be important to us! Your mom may have failed you - forgive them and move on. You decide that you will follow the Scripture mandate to honor your father and your mother. Don’t live in the past but make your future brighter. You determine that you will be a better mom than your mom was.

One of the ways we can honor our mothers is by speaking kind and loving words to them. Our words have the power to build up or tear down, and we should choose to use them to encourage and uplift our mothers. We read in proverbs 16:24,

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”

‌ Mothering can be a thankless service rendered, and there is a litany of tasks that moms do every day that often go unnoticed and unappreciated. So, then here are some ideas on how to honor moms with words that express a deep appreciation for her:

· Write here a letter or card expressing your gratitude for everything she has done for you. Be specific and thoughtful, and let her know how much she means to you.

· Compliment your mom on her strengths and positive qualities, such as her kindness, patience, and generosity‌

· Tell your mom how much you admire her and how she has inspired you in your life.

· Put together a scrapbook with some memories of times you have spent together. Let your mom know how much those moments impacted your life.

· Encourage your mom in her current endeavors or challenges and offer to help her in any way you can. Remember Mom may have put her dreams on hold to raise you.

· Thank your mom for all the sacrifices she has made for you and your family‌

· Express your love and affection for your mom in a way that feels genuine and authentic to your relationship.

Find your mom’s love language. Every mom is different, so it's important to find the right words that are specific and meaningful to the relationship you have with your mother.

II. Honor your mother with your ACTIONS – Romans 12:9a

Let love be without hypocrisy.

Love is a verb! We must show love to our moms through our actions – actions speak volumes! And when it comes to loving your mom make sure that it is REAL! No fake stuff.

I believe that there is a beautiful contrast between a child and his toys, and a mother and her children in the story of The Velveteen Rabbit. Listen to The Skin Horse as he tells his story of being REAL.

The Velveteen Rabbit‌

The Skin Horse Tells His Story

The Skin Horse had lived longer in the nursery than any of the others. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces. He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by-and-by break their mainsprings and pass away, and he knew that they were only toys, and would never turn into anything else. For nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understand all about it.

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?‌

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."‌

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

‌ “It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled.

"The Boy's Uncle made me Real," he said. "That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."

‌ The Rabbit sighed. He thought it would be a long time before this magic called Real happened to him. He longed to become Real, to know what it felt like; and yet the idea of growing shabby and losing his eyes and whiskers was rather sad. He wished that he could become it without these uncomfortable things happening to him.

What is REAL? When a child loves you for a long, long time, then you become Real."

Moms know that being REAL can hurt. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." It comes with the territory.

Here are a few practical actions steps. Ways to love your mothers

· ‌Help your mom to be real by being sensitive to her. Don’t take her for granted.

· ‌Spend time with your mom doing something she enjoys, whether it's cooking a meal together, taking a walk, or watching her favorite movie.

· Serve your mom, after all she has served you for a very long time. Help with household chores or errands, such as cleaning the house, grocery shopping, or running other errands that your mom would appreciate.

· Take care of younger siblings or other responsibilities (clothes, dishes, make bed, vacuum), so your mom can take some time for herself.

· Cook or bake something special for your mom, such as her favorite meal or dessert, or surprise her with breakfast in bed.

· Plan a special outing or activity that your mom would enjoy, such as a spa day, a hike, or a visit to a museum. Ask her what she would like to do.

· Show your support for your mom's interests or hobbies, whether it's attending a concert with her or cheering her on at her sports game.

· Mom’s need to vent too, so let her talk, and be a supportive and compassionate ear.

What plans have you made to honor your mother today? I might mention that Dads have a responsibility to TEACH their children how to honor mom. Don’t you allow this day to go by without your children showing honor to their mother. Your children should give a card, flowers, gift, SERVE HER on Mother’s Day.‌

It's important to remember that our mothers have sacrificed a lot for us, and we can repay that sacrifice by showing them love and respect through our actions.

‌III. Honor your mother by following her EXAMPLE – Proverbs 1:8, 6:20-23

· ‌Proverbs 1:8- “My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;”

‌· Proverbs 6:20-23 - 20 “My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you. For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,” - My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. 21Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. 22When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you. 23 For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

If you were raised by a godly Christian mom, you are very blessed individual. You ought to thank God daily for the privilege of growing up under the influence of a godly mom. Timothy had both a godly grandmother and a godly mother, and they taught him the Scripture, and how to love God himself (2 Timothy 1:5).

‌ John Wesley said, “I learned more about Christianity from my mother than from all the theologians of England.”

And an Anonymous writer penned, “One godly mother is worth a hundred clergy.”

‌ Our Proverb verses tell us that we are not to forsake the “law of your mother.” Her “law” is a “light.”

Here is my short list of how a mother can be an EXAMPLE to her children:

1. ‌You love God - God has 1st place in your life – Colossians 1:18.

2. You walk the talk - your faith is real and live out daily.

3. You have a dependance upon the leading of the Holy Spirit. You don’t act independent from God – Romans 8

‌4. You read the Bible – your children see you having your quiet time.

‌5. You pray about everything and anything. You believe that nothing is too big or too small for God to handle.

‌6. You possess a meek and quiet spirit – 1 Peter 3:4

‌Whether we like it or not our mothers are our first teachers, and we learn a lot from them about how to live our lives. My hope as a pastor is that we have a church full of godly mothers that are making an eternal impact upon their children.

‌Copycat

‌It has been said that the best compliment is when someone copies you. Pay your mother a compliment and copy her love for Jesus Christ. It is the best thing you can do.

‌We can honor our mothers by emulating their positive qualities and learning from their mistakes.

‌· Identify your mother's values and beliefs: Consider her values and beliefs and how they have shaped the person you are today.

‌· Emulate her positive traits: Think about the positive traits that your mother exhibits, such as kindness, generosity, and compassion. Try to incorporate these qualities into your own life.

‌· Learn from her mistakes: Your mother is not perfect, and she may have made mistakes in the past. Take note of these mistakes and learn from them so you can avoid making the same ones in your own life.

‌· Spend time with her: Spend quality time with your mother and show her that you value her presence in your life. Listen to her stories and advice and appreciate her wisdom.

· ‌Show gratitude: Express gratitude for all that your mother has done for you. Thank her for her love, guidance, and support.

‌· Carry on her legacy: If your mother has a particular cause or passion that she has dedicated herself to, consider carrying on her legacy by getting involved in that cause yourself.

‌Another positive step we can take is to pass on the lessons they have taught us to future generations.

‌IV. Honor your mother by PRAYING for her – Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2

· Philippians 4:6-7 - 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

‌Paul wrote these words to Timothy,

‌· 1 Timothy 2:1–2 - 1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

‌Paul tells us to pray for Kings, but also “for all who are in authority”. I don’t think I’m stretching that verse when I say that it would also include mothers. Moms have authority over us, and they need our prayers. There is not a mother alive who doesn’t need daily prayers.

‌What mother wouldn’t appreciate the prayers of her family. Add your mom to your daily prayer list. Let her know that you are praying for her. You might even ask her how you can pray more effectively for her.‌

What to Pray for Moms About

‌· In your prayers thank God for your mom. Being thankful for your mom is important.

‌· Pray for your mom’s health, strength, and resilience. Pray for her physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.· ‌Ask God to provide guidance for your mom and to give her wisdom and discernment in all areas of her life, including her relationships, work, and daily decisions.

‌· Pray for your mom's specific needs and concerns, such as financial stability, family conflicts, or health issues.

· ‌Ask for God's grace and mercy to be upon your mom and pray that she will experience God's love and peace in her life.

‌· Finally, ask God to bless and protect your mom, and to give you the strength and wisdom to support her in any way you can.

‌Conclusion: Can I remind us to HONOR (value) our mothers not just on Mother's Day but every day. Moms do so much for the family. Research tells us that if moms were paid an annual salary that it would be somewhere around $ 178,200. Therefore, don’t forget your mother or take her for granted. Shower your mother with your love and support.

Example positions of the mom hybrid job role include:

· Academic Advisor

· Accountant I

· Art Director

· Athletic Director

· Buyer II

· CEO

· Coach

· Day Care Teacher

· Dietitian

· Instructor

· Event Planner

· Executive Housekeeper

· Facilities Director

· Groundskeeper

· Interior Designer II

· Janitor

· Judge/Magistrate

· Laundry Manager

· Logistics Analyst I

· Maintenance Supervisor

· Network Administrator

· Photographer

· Plumber

· Public School Teacher

· Psychologist

· Recreational Therapist

· Staff Nurse

· Social Media Specialist

· Tailor

· Work/Life Manager[1]

‌Speak kind words, show love through our actions, follow their example, and pray for them.

‌ Let us cherish the gift of motherhood and thank God for the wonderful women who have blessed our lives.

[1]Super Mom: What’s a Mothers Worth? Salary.com