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MOM

An Acrostic for Mother's Day

May 10, 2009
(Proverbs 31:10-31).

(We are using our youth in presenting this message.)

    Today we are honoring mothers.  We honor them because mothers are the greatest influence on children.  In fact a nation’s citizens are a reflection of that nation’s mothers.

    Mother’s work more, worry more, hurt more and love more than any other group of individuals.

    Solomon extols wives and mothers in a wonderful chapter of Proverbs.

Pastor:  He says she is trustworthy and supportive:

First Youth: 31:10     An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.

31:11     The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.

31:12     She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.

Pastor: She is a hard worker:

Second Youth:  31:13     She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.

31:14     She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.

31:15     She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.

Pastor: She is a capable shopper and trader:

Third Youth:  31:16     She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

31:17     She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.

31:18     She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.

Pastor: She is productive and generous and benevolent:

Fourth Youth:  31:19     She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.

31:20     She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

Pastor: She is creative and attractive:

Fifth Youth:  31:21     She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

31:22     She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Pastor: She makes her husband look good in the community and is a shrewd businesswoman:

Sixth Youth:  31:23     Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.

31:24     She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

Pastor: She is strong and wise and kind:

Seventh Youth:  31:25     Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.

31:26     She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Pastor: She takes care of her husband and children:

Eighth Youth:  31:27     She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.

31:28     Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

31:29     “Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all.”

Pastor: Solomon concludes that mothers and wives deserve appreciation and honor.  He says,

Ninth Youth:  31:30     Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

31:31     Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.

    So, what is a mother?

    Well, a mother is the child’s first and most important example and teacher.  Charles Dickens said, “I think it should be written somewhere that the virtues of mothers shall be visited on their children, as well as the sins of the fathers.

    Let’s spell MOM with three words:

I.  FIRST, A MOTHER IS MATURE.

    She is wise and stable.  Paul suggests that parents should be future minded.  “Children are not responsible to save up for {their} parents, but parents for {their} children” (2 Cor.  12:14).

    They prepare their children for life in the real world.  Good mothers know children need limits.  Solomon said, “Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Prov.  22:6).

    Remember, kids can’t walk a line.  Instead, they need boundaries that are fair and firm.  These need to be widened as they do well, and narrowed as they show lack of responsibility.

II.  NEXT, A MOTHER IS OPTIMISTIC.

    She always believes the best about her children.  She sees the good.  She cares and grieves when her children make bad decisions.  A Proverb says, "A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish son is a grief to his mother" (Prov.  10:1).

    A mother’s concern is even compared to God’s concern.  Isaiah said, "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; And you will be comforted in Jerusalem" (Isa.  66:13).

    Someone said, “A mother’s patience is like a tube of toothpaste—it’s never quite all gone.”

III.  FINALLY, A MOTHER IS MORAL.

    Above all, a mother has values and is resolute about standards of righteousness.  Solomon says, Hear, my son, your father’s instruction And do not forsake your mother’s teaching” (Prov.  1:8).

    Christian principles must be instilled early and consistently.  Children are like wet cement.  Whatever falls on them makes an impression.  A wise man said, “If you don’t take time to help youngsters find the right way in life, someone will be there to help them find the wrong way.”

    A minister was once asked, “Under whose preaching were you converted.”  He said, “It wasn’t under anybody’s preaching.  It was under my mother’s practicing.”

    An old poem says:

    Some folks have had kings in their lineage
        And those to whom honor was paid,
    Now, I did not have such a history,
        But I had a mother who prayed.

    Some people have worldly successes
        And trust in the riches they’ve made.
    But this is my surest possession—
        I had a dear mother who prayed.

    Some boast of their fame and their fortune.
        They cherish those treasures that fade.
    But my greatest bounty and blessing,
        Is that precious mother who prayed.

    Mom is spelled:
        Mature,
        Optimistic, and
        Moral.

    Let's honor them.

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(WC834)

Copyrighted 2009 by Miles and Maralene Wesner, Idabel, OK.  PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE THIS MESSAGE IN ANY WAY YOU THINK IS APPROPRIATE.  The only thing we ask is that you give credit for original material in PUBLISHED works.

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