What it Means to Be a Mother

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31

Introduction

For this is what the Lord says: As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”.  Isaiah 66:13

• God has given a special gift to women that He references through Isaiah: COMFORT
• While dads are very important to bringing children into the world (and we will get back to you on Father’s Day)
• It is the mother who carries us inside them for 9 months as we grow and develop into humans,
• It is such an important process that God Himself trusts it to women. Psalm 139:13-14

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.     I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.

• Motherhood, therefore, is a collaboration between a woman and Almighty God Himself.
• But the job has only just begun.
• Just like any man can be a father or any woman can be a mother.
• It takes devotion, commitment, hard work, and mostly love to be a DAD or a MOM.
• It’s that mom that we celebrate today.
• That special person in our life that picked us up and loved us from our very first cry.
• That person we could always count on to defend us and support us through life’s trials.
• That person who kissed and patched up all our boo-boos when we slipped and fell.
• Mothers have such a special place in God’s plan that He chose a woman to deliver His Son into the world.
• Proverbs 31 describes an ideal woman that describes a lot of the commitment it takes to be the MOM we are celebrating today for Mother’s Day in three ways:

1. She is VALUABLE
2. She is BUSY
3. She is RESPONSIBLE

1. She is VALUABLE

• Who was the wisest historical character from the Bible? Solomon.
• In 1 Kings 3, God appears to Solomon in a dream and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
• So, Solomon asked God for wisdom and God was pleased to grant it to him.
• It’s that wisdom that we consult today and find in the Proverbs of Solomon.
• Right from the beginning Solomon recognizes her value.
• He says: “She is worth far more than rubies.”
• As we celebrate moms today, stop and think what it would cost to pay for the services that moms provide.
• I think we can safely say that “we can’t afford them.”
• Solomon says: “Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.”
• That is a wise man who is smart enough to recognize all the free labor he is getting.
• Consider some of the things Solomon gives her credit for doing.

2. She is BUSY

• She buys all the material she needs
• Solomon compares her to a merchant ship: “bringing her food from afar.”
• Keep in mind this was written almost 3000 years before Walmart.
• She gets up before the break of dawn to get ahead of the day.
• Does this sound familiar to any of you moms?
• She makes sure everyone gets fed. Any of you do that?
• My wife is big on this one. She shows her love through food.
• You can tell by looking at me that she REALLY loves me!!
• Fortunately, Ozempic is getting rid of a lot of those extra love pounds.
• She buys and sells property and makes investments.
• OK, I’ll put my wife up against anybody when it comes to saving money.
• She can make a penny squeal.
• I really appreciate that quality in a wife and mom because the kids have benefitted.
• Her kids (including step-kids) can really appreciate this mom for home, vacations and opportunities that I never could have pulled off alone.
• Whoever said that women are the “weaker sex” didn’t hear “her arms are strong for her tasks” from Solomon.
• There is nothing weak about women and I would put my daughters up against anyone.
• Strength comes from within and often means overcoming fears and obstacles.
• A mom is strong; she has to be. Being a mom is a challenge.
• I’m sure it was for my mom because she tells me Liam is exactly like me.
• Probably makes sense because Stacy married her dad with Jason – what luck!!
• A mom is concerned about the needs of others and our women here are a shining example
• Solomon says: “She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”
• Not all of our women here are moms, but they all have the spirit of a mom in their heart.
• Not sure why Solomon mentioned snow in this proverb because snow is pretty rare in his part of the world except at the highest elevations.
• In fact, the internet mentions two recent snowstorms from 1950 and 2013.
• Nevertheless, Solomon said: ”When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.”
• I grew up in the snow belt of America with the Lake Erie snow effect.
• Our mom always made sure Susan and I were bundled up because we went outside.
• Susan can’t seem to get enough snow even to this day, but I avoid it like the plague.
• Give me a hot sunny beach where I can listen to the waves and roast myself.
• A good mom just makes sure things get done – down to the finest detail.
• Solomon shares details like “coverings for the bed and “clothes of fine linen and purple.”

3. She is RESPONSIBLE

• Solomon credits her with two things:

1. Her husband is respected at the city gate,
2. He takes his seat among the elders of the land.

• This is a significant statement given the secondary treatment women received back then.
• I know where he comes from because Leslie is a big part of why I’m here and how I got here in the first place.
• My mom made sure I learned about church from the very beginning.
• Who was it that first introduced you to Jesus? Was it your mom?
• And while we are talking about moms, lets not forget grannies – right Lee? She made sure you knew Jesus.
• And now, your daughter knows Jesus and we have all committed to teaching her daughter
• There’s some important accountability right there.
• It’s not easy being a mom and even Solomon recognizes the need for a sense of humor.
• “She can laugh at the days to come” he says. Who thinks a mom needs a sense of humor?
• Solomon must have been wise because, in spite of the times, when he said “She is clothed with strength and dignity”
• It takes strength and dignity when your kid is throwing up on your new dress.
• Or you’re trying to breast feed your child and people are judging you.
• Or your child pops off with some unfiltered comment in public? Made you think Candy.
• Or you have to go meet with that teacher or principal at your kids school when your child makes a mistake – right mom?
• Here is the master of wisdom properly crediting moms with “wisdom, and faithful instruction.”
• He should know since he had 700 wives based on 1 Kings 11:3.
• A mom knows that it is an awesome responsibility to raise children.
• She takes that responsibility seriously and watches over the affairs of her household
• She doesn’t have time to back off at all.
• And because of mom’s commitment to her responsibility, her children arise and call her blessed.
• Her husband also, and he praises her saying: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
• Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a mom who fears the LORD is to be praised.
• On this day, especially, but on every day, honor mom for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise everywhere.