Mother’s Maze

Proverbs 23: 22 – 25

        Everyone has a mother, so Mother’s Day should involve each of us.

        Happy Mother’s Day to all moms. Formerly it was an easy topic on which to write. Our current complex culture makes it most difficult today. Nevertheless, to all mothers, may you so brace yourself and so dedicate yourself annually to being a good mother that you deserve a HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.

        Jesus echoed the command of the Father when He quoted the O.T. challenge to “honor your father and your mother.”  This command is in need of present application.

        This is that occasion when once a year we pause to pay tribute to one who is our listening post, servant-in-waiting, constant companion, and scapegoat.  Affectionately she is called mother.  She willingly walked through the valley of the shadow of death to give us birth.  Wisely Solomon urged that we not forget her in her old age.

        When French sculptor Bartholei was planning and working for nearly 20 years on the Statue of Liberty he chose as his model his own mother.  Today we need model mothers to:

        Be Affectionate.  Give love.

        Be Attentive.  A child needs the mother’s attention.

        Be available.  A child has more brain cells from birth to six than will ever be the case again.  The brain has its greatest capacity for learning during this time.

        Bill Lowe writing in “Asia Magazine”  contends that a child’s mind is inhibited by being with its peers.  The TV program “In Search” went searching for exceptional children, those they considered geniuses.  They found these children not in advanced learning centers but in relaxed loving homes.  They have been spared the company of their kind and have been exposed to available adults who love and teach them.

        Be Aspiring.  I recently told a group of attentive teens three games played as a child.  They are games played by every human being:

        “You are…” “I wish…” “I am…”  Teach your child to enjoy saying before a mirror “I’m glad to be me just like God made me.”  Self-esteem and confidences are needed.

        A young mom’s children insisted that she not lift a finger on Mother’s Day.  They were going to do all the cooking.  They got out three pots, two frying pans, six measuring spoons, eight serving dishes—and Mom was thrilled.  She said it was the best Jello she had ever eaten.

        You can be good to mom by helping her.