In Christ's Service
This Sunday is May 11th and we all know what that special day is.....Mother's Day!!! If you have not already done so, I want to encourage you to let you Mother know how much she is appreciated and loved.
We celebrate mother's day because of Anna M. Jarvis who had suggested the national observance of an annual day honoring all mothers because she loved her own mother so dearly. On May 9, 1914, by an act of Congress, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.
As I thought about Mother's Day, I began to reflect on my mother and all she is to our family. Taking care of five children of her own and four or five other kids not her own and being a pastors wife had to have its challenges. I watch my wife and think of all she does for our family. I'm sure that taking care of three children and a crazy husband that is a Pastor...has its challenges and like my own mother, there are usually many other kids in the house besides our own. That's why I believe that Motherhood is still one of the most important institutions in the world.
Being a mother is more than giving birth...it is a lifetime commitment to love, nurture, correct, train and build character in their individual children's lives. From the time the child is born, it is usually the mother that is the primary care giver.
Mothers teach their children how to make good choices...even though they know the child will make bad ones. And when bad ones are made, there are valuable lessons to be learned by the child...and mothers are the ones who love them through the lesson.
Mothers are teachers. Mothers are disciplinarians. Mothers are cleaning ladies. Some mothers are gardeners & mowers of lawns. And most mothers understand that baking cookies is far more important than washing windows, too.
Mothers are nurses, doctors, psychologists, counselors, chauffeurs and coaches. Mothers are developers of personalities, molders of vocabularies, & shapers of attitudes. Mothers are soft voices saying, "I love you." And mothers are a link to God, a child's first impression of God's love.
As I pondered all that a mother does, I thought about the job description a mother might have...
Here is how it might read in the classifieds: Needed, One Mother: She must have the following qualifications. Manager - she must be able to train, direct, educate, and prepare a child for life. Mender -She must be able to fix things, from bicycles to broken hearts. Mentor - she must be a teacher; a coach and advisor rolled into one. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instructions. Organizer - she is one who will bring structure to her household and to her child's life. Opportunist - she will seize the moment, see that window of opportunity and keep her child's eye on the goal. Trustworthy - her child will know she can be trusted to keep her word. Teacher - she will not give a task without showing her child how to complete it. Taxi - she is always available to drive her children to church, scout meetings, sporting events, school functions, late night shopping sprees, etc... Helper - she is there to help in time of need; she knows when to hold on and when to let go. She helps her child strive for excellence in every area of life. Healer - She stands with her child through the rough places and the wrong choices and helps that child begin again. Her kiss on a wound is better than any medicine a doctor can give. Example - She sets the example in the home. She knows there are little eyes watching everything she does. Edifier - She builds up her children; she gives them confidence as she encourages them in every endeavor of life. Restrictor - She sets boundaries for herself as well as her children...these boundaries are a direct correlation of her love. Restorer - She is able to softly and tenderly rebuild and restore in her children what others tear down. Refuge - She is a refuge, a safe place in time of trouble. Reflection of Christ - When her children look at her, she reflects the character of Christ in all she does.
There is no better picture to depict the love Christ has for His children than that of the love a mother has for her child. She willingly lays down her life for her children.
Being a mother is the most important occupation on earth and the advertisement that you read above doesn't even come close to what she does on a daily basis. My wife,Amanda,was telling me recently that if a mother was paid for all she does, it would roughly be a salary of about $150 thousand dollars a year...personally...I think it should be a lot more.
There is not much glory or fame but there is no greater or no more important occupation in all the world. Mother's...thank you for all you do and have done...we celebrate you not only on Mothers Day but everyday.
Pastors Howard & Amanda Riley
Highland View Church of God
pastoriley@mchsi.com
