Mothering Through Counterfeits

What impression do people have of motherhood?

Supermom - an exemplary mother.

A woman who performs the tradition duties of housekeeping and child-rearing while also having a full time job.

We live in an age when women have “super mom syndrome”, a delusional belief held by a mother that she is capable of doing all things for all people in her life at all times while perfectly managing herself.

One of the biggest tools used by Satan on women today is placing expectations on them.

Be honest, what are the expectations that you have placed over yourself?

What does our family expect of you?

What does the church expect of you?

Ladies, the only opinion over you that matters is the opinion of God.

The audience of one.

The challenge in front of you is looking past Satans counterfeits and clinging to what is true.

What are the counterfeits of being a woman/mother and what does God’s word say instead?

Proverbs 31:25–31 NASB95

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. 26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: 29 “Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.” 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.

The whole book of wisdom literature in Proverbs gives women the last word...

1. “You are unique for your dress and speech.” (v. 25-26)

v. 22 says that she makes fine linen purple clothing and that she covers herself well.

A women’s husband would be praised at the gates of the villages for the unique way that his wife would dress and talk in the presence of the community. Her life reflected on his life.

Solomon wrote a message of the true uniqueness of woman.

“Strength” - A woman of moral character, vigorous, and honorable.

“Kindness” - Her conversation is wise and gentle.

Wisdom is so built up in her that kindness flows out.

While dressing beautifully and impressing others with speech is commendable, we don’t neglect the true values of beauty.

Boys getting ready for prom vs. girls getting ready for prom. Weddings are similar.

What lengths are you willing to go to be unique?

We are beholding a generation of young ladies pressured to compromise everything that they are to be noticed and cherished by men.

To be a woman in this age must feel very confusing.

A mother who works or stays at home.

Who do we want to cherish us?

Men?

Our children?

Other women?

All of the above?

You are the most unique when your heart is wrapped up in love for Jesus.

He supplies us with inner strength and dignity that will place us where we need to be.

2. “The opinions of the community matters most.”

In Solomons day, a Jewish woman had complete charge over her children and the home. There were great expectations that a woman be quiet, respectful, and honoring to her family.

In other words, pressure!!!

She would have her home here, there and everywhere.

She would leave nothing undone. She could not just sit around.

Her nobleness and love over her home would build credibility to her children and her husband.

She would bring her home prosperity that would be noticed by her husband and her children.

The women of the home often accomplishes tasks that go unnoticed.

Husbands, it is our duty to insure that our children see that mom is the hero of our home.

But we must also insure that our wife knows how much we value her for who she is.

Why? We don’t want our wives or mothers to fall to the enemy that is comparison.

Questioning if she is good enough and comparing herself to other women.

Ladies, opinions of your community are not what matters.

Don’t fall into the trap. You have nothing to prove.

The opinion of your husband and children do.

Don’t allow your family to compete with the boasting of other people.

Your families opinion matters, just not in the way that you think.

You can exhibit character and kindness to your family to draw praise from them.

The scriptures encourage us to engage in proper boasting or praise from other human beings.

Proverbs 27:2 NASB95

2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.

Proper boasting in others is a source of encouragement in the body of Christ.

Ladies, have a source to point this boasting.

3. “You can’t allow your age to show too quickly.” v. 30-31

Solomon wrote that a husband who estimates his wife based on her physical appearance is deceived by it.

“Vain” - Things that are brief and transitioning.

The true value of a woman is measured only by what she is enduring.

“She shall be praised” = is worthy of praise.

“Praise her in the gates”

This was a term for the men of the community. He would be honored at the gates of the community.

Just as her husbands is known in the gates, the works of an excellent wife should be known and praised by people.

Presidents before and after.

Ladies, we don’t need what the world is telling us we need from women.

There is nothing wrong with being beautiful and unique by worldly standards ladies. Just don’t measure yourself by them.

Measure your life by the relationship you have with God through Jesus Christ.

The way you serve and love Him.

He will tell you who you are.

Mothers day is a reminder of the jewel that women truly are.

May we praise you for who you are in Jesus.