Today we celebrate our mothers. Mother’s Day was first established in the US in 1914. It is celebrated the 2ndSunday in May each year. It’s a time when we stop and reflect on what our mothers have meant to us. It’s a time to give honor to whom honor is due.
We all have a mother, whether it’s our birth mother, adoptive mother, a grandmother or aunt who raised us. Or maybe you have someone in your life who has always been like a mother to you. Today is the day to remember them, to love on them, and honor them.
As I began to pray and meditate on what I should minister on this very special day, the Lord began to remind me of all the things our mothers are to us. I have for you today an acronym for MOTHER. Each letter represents a quality that God put in us as women and mothers.
M- Matriarch, Maternal, Memories
Matriarchs- 2 Timothy 1:5-7 (NKJV) 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Maternal- nurturing, loving, caring, training Exodus 2:5-10(NIV) 5Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it. 6 She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said.
7 Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?”
8 “Yes, go,” she answered. So the girl went and got the baby’s mother. 9 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him. 10 When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.”
(Training) Proverbs 22:6(NKJV) 6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7(ESV) 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Memories- Mothers help to create wonderful memories for their children. Mothers many times plan special outings and vacations and special family events that give us a treasure trove of good memories to draw from. I’m sure you have some very fond memories of your mother and the time you spent with her.
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O- Optimistic, Overcomer
Optimistic- If there is anyone in our life who is optimistic, it’s our mothers! They are always the one who helps us see the silver lining even in a bad situation. Our moms are our greatest supporters and encouragers!
Overcomer -Many of our mothers have overcome great obstacles and tragedy in their lives, such as the loss of a husband, or divorce or abandonment. Single moms have one of the hardest jobs on the planet- being both mom and dad, provider, protector, nurturer, etc.
1 John 5:3-4 (NKJV)4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
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T- Tenacious, Tough, Tender, Thoughtful
Our moms are tenacious! Our mothers will never give up on us. They will call our names before heaven every day until they see us change for the better.
Our moms are tough yet tender. God created women with the ability to be tough when need be with a gentle, tender personality.
Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Thoughtful- Our mothers are so thoughtful, never forgetting our birthdays, lending a helping hand when we ourselves have children. Let’s be thankful for all the wonderful, thoughtful things they do.
Proverbs 31:26-31(NKJV)26She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.
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H- Harmonious, Helpful, Heroic
Ephesians 4:2-3 (NKJV) 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Our mothers are peacemakers. Mothers are the ones who set the tone in the house.
1 Peter 3:8-9 (ESV) 8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
We as mothers are called to be a blessing to our families!
Mothers are helpful even heroic at times!
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E- Economical, Enterprising, Encouraging, Extraordinary
Proverbs 31:10-19 (NKJV) 10 Whocan find a virtuous wife? For her worth isfar above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise isgood, And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.
Mothers are extraordinary women- smart, intelligent, witty, fun-loving, godly, and righteous in Christ.
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R-Reassuring, Romantics, Remarkable
Reassuring: to say or do something to remove the doubts or fears of someone. Put someone’s mind at rest, dispel someone’s fears, restore someone’s confidence.
Our mothers are romantics at heart. We learn from our mothers how to show affection and love towards others.
Colossians 3:18(NKJV) 18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Titus 2:4-5 (NKJV) 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to bediscreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
Last, but certainly not least, our mothers are REMARKABLE people!
R- Resilient
E- Exceptional
M- Monumental
A- Astounding
R-Respectful
K- Kind
A-Amazing
B- Beautiful
L-Lovely
E-Energetic
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