The Virtuous Mother

Text: Prov. 31.10-31

Thesis: To honor godly mothers.

Introduction:

A history of Mother's Day

By HOLLY HILDEBRAND
Houston Chronicle Interactive

The first celebrations in honor of mothers were held in the spring in ancient Greece. They paid tribute to Rhea, the Mother of the Gods. During the 17th century, England honored mothers on "Mothering Sunday," celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent.

In the United States, Julia Ward Howe suggested the idea of Mother's Day in 1872. Howe, who wrote the words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, saw Mother's Day as being dedicated to peace.

Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia is credited with bringing about the official observance of Mother's Day. Her campaign to establish such a holiday began as a remembrance of her mother, who died in 1905 and who had, in the late 19th century, tried to establish "Mother's Friendship Days" as a way to heal the scars of the Civil War.

Two years after her mother died, Jarvis held a ceremony in Grafton, W. Va., to honor her. She was so moved by the proceedings that she began a massive campaign to adopt a formal holiday honoring mothers. In 1910, West Virginia became the first state to recognize Mother's Day. A year later, nearly every state officially marked the day. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed Mother's Day as a national holiday to be held on the second Sunday of May.

Discussion:

I.                   God recognizes her value (Prov. 31.10).

A.    She is said to be worth “far above rubies.”

B.     She is called a crown to her husband (Prov.12.4).

C.     God made woman because He knew of her great necessity and value.

D.    "God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers." -- Jewish proverb

II.                Her husband recognizes her value (Prov.31.11).

A.    He is able fully to trust her.

B.     She completes him and works with him.

C.  Note:  It is wise to compliment (vv. 28-29).

III.             Her children recognize her value (Prov. 31.28).

A.    "All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother." -- Abraham Lincoln

B.     "My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her." -- George Washington

C.     Time makes my mother even wiser and more loving.

Conclusion:

What Is A Mother?

A mother is someone to shelter and guide us,
To love us, whatever we do,
With a warm understanding and infinite patience
And wonderful gentleness, too.
How often a mother means swift reassurance
In soothing our small, childish fears,
How tenderly mothers watch over their children
And treasure them all through the years!
The heart of a mother is full of forgiveness
For any mistake, big or small,
And generous always in helping her family,
Whose needs she has placed above all.
A mother can utter a word of compassion
And make all our cares fall away,
She can brighten a home with the sound of her laughter
And make life delightful and gay.
A mother possesses incredible wisdom
And wonderful insight and skill -
In each human heart is that one special corner
Which only a mother can fill!

By Katherine Nelson Davis