Why Mothers are Unique and Special
Prov. 31:10-31
Introduction
Next to Christmas, New Year and Easter, mother’s day is one of the most celebrated day of the year though it is not considered a holiday. So popular is Mother’s day that Telephone companies tell us that Mother’s Day is by far their busiest day of the year. We are here today first, to give praise, honor, thanksgiving and worship to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to honor our mothers, grandmothers, and mothers of our children. Preachers, ministers, etc. all over the world, will all be talking about mothers. It’s a special day to express our appreciation and love to mothers who is for me one of the greatest gifts of our Lord Jesus Christ to mankind. Why are they so special?
1. By their job. (what they do). (Prov. 31:10 – 31).
The most creative job in the world involves not only cooking, washing and ironing clothes, but also fashion, decorating, recreation, education, transportation, psychology, romance, literature, art, economics, government, pediatrics, geriatrics, entertainment, maintenance, purchasing, law, religion, energy and management. Anyone who can handle all those has to be somebody special. She’s a homemaker, a mother. If there is a never ending job in the world, it would be being a mother. I read that “The easiest part of being a mother is giving birth…. the hardest part is showing up for it each day…”
2. By their love (1 Kings 3:16 – 27, 2 Sam. 21:1-14)
Someone has said that the hardest to kill in the world is “mother’s love”. King Solomon when faced with a problem of baby ownership by two mothers, commanded that the baby be cut into two and one would be given half and the other, another half. The thoughts and intents of the heart was revealed here, for the real mother cannot bear to see her child be hurt but the pretentious mother would not even take a pity to the cruelty and barbarity that would happen.
Illustration: The Love of Rizpah (2 Sam. 21:1 – 14)
It happened that a grievous famine, which lasted for three years, fell upon the land during the earlier half of David’s reign at Jerusalem. This calamity was sent “for Saul and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.” David inquired of the Gibeonites what satisfaction they demanded, and was answered that nothing would compensate for the wrong Saul had done to them but the death of seven of Saul’s sons. David accordingly delivered up to them the two sons of Rizpah and five of Saul’s grandson. These Gibeonites put to death, and hung up their bodies before the Lord at the sanctuary at Gibeah. Rizpah thereupon took her place on the rock of Gibeah and watched the suspended bodies of her children, to prevent them from being devoured by the beasts and birds of prey, till they were at length taken down and buried by David. Some expositors writes than it took 5 to 6 months (beginning of April to early October) this mother was there. I would interpret the texts that it took only a few days till the much needed rain fell down and restored the land to its original fertile condition. Whichever is correct, Rizpah’s love for her sons is beyond
compare. When I read about this story my heart was really broken and I almost cried. Rizpah was so honored that until now people are still talking about her love to her sons.
Quote: The Love of a mother
The love of a mother is never exhausted. It never changes—it never tires—it endures through all; in good repute, in bad repute, in the face of the world’s condemnation, a mother’s love still lives on…. Washington Irving
3. By their influence and training (2 Tim. 1:5)
Young Timothy was taught and influenced by his grandmother and mother. He got saved under the ministry of Paul. The formative year of the child is very important. I remember it was my mother who taught me how to pray at my very young age, and each time a have failures and disappointments as I grow up , she would tell me “you have to pray more”, “you failed because you did not pray hard enough. “
Illustration: French Survey
Survey of French Kings pointed out that of the 69 kings of France only 3 were really loved by their people. And these 3 were the only ones reared by their mothers, and not by tutors or guardians. It just may be true – that “The hands that rocks the cradle is the hands that rule the world.” It also follows that “The future destiny of a child is the work of a mother”.
Illustration: Morgan family
Dr. G. Campbell Morgan had four sons. They all become ministers. At a family reunion, a friend asked one of the sons, “Which Morgan is the greatest preacher?” While the son looked at the father, he replied “Mother”.
4. By their long suffering (patience). (1 Cor. 13:4)
Godly mothers like Mary, Hannah, the mother of Moses, Eunice, Rizpah, etc., all exhibited patience for their children. Of course fathers too.
Illustration: The Thomas Edison story
His teachers told her mother, “your son is too dumb, he cannot learn” to which his mother replied “you don’t understand my son, I will teach him”. The next is history.
“Our children maybe intelligent, but they still do not have an adult grasp of certain concepts, they are still kids—they are children not little adults. They are forgetful, so we must patiently remind them of their chores, of their homework and of the necessity of picking up their toys and clothes. When they are having fun, hours can seem like minutes; and when they are sitting still or standing in line, minutes can seem like hours to them so we must be patient as they whine, fuss, or fidget.
4. By their sacrifice. Gen. 27:11-13
Rebekah the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob was willing to pay the price even be cursed just to have her favourite son Jacob receive the blessings.
Illustration: The story of David Lloyd George
Many years ago, a young mother was making her way on foot across the hills of South Wales, carrying her infant son. A blinding blizzard overtook the pair, and the mother never
reached her destination. Searchers found her lifeless body, with the baby snuggled beneath her, warm and alive. She had wrapped her outer clothing and scarf around the boy and then covered him with her own body. That baby grew up to be David Lloyd George, British Prime Minister and one of England’s greatest statesmen.
Everybody has heard of Martin Luther but who knows the name of his mother, the wife of a coal miner who often went hungry so that little Martin might attend school?
How about Susannah Wesley the mother of John and Charles Wesley who spent one hour each day praying for her 17 children. In addition, she took each child aside for a full hour every week to discuss spiritual matters.
There’s a lot of testimonies and true to life stories on how mothers sacrificed their own time, happiness, and their very life just to their beloved children
I would end this sermon by telling you what Theodore Roosevelt wrote about mothers
When all is said, it is the mother, and the mother only is the better citizen than the soldier who fights for his country. The successful mother, the mother who does her part in rearing and training aright the boys and girls, who are to be the men and women of the next generation, is of greater use to the community, and occupies, if she only would realize it, a more honourable as well as more important position than any man in it. The mother is the one supreme asset of the national life. She is more important by far, than the successful statesman, or businessman, or artists or scientists.
When the Lord Jesus Christ created Eve, the mother of all the mothers, He knows in advance what challenges, difficulties, and sacrifices she would have to face. So God put in her, a touch of comfort to troubled child, a kiss that could heal a hurting wound, a hug that can give assurance of safety, a wisdom and knowledge to teach and guide a learning child.
Conclusion:
Mothers have too many responsibilities, too many worries, and too little time to do everything but they still manage to get things done. They are soft, fragile, sensitive, but very tough for they do many things men can never do. They are unique and special because of what they do, by their love, their influence and training, their long suffering and training, and their sacrifice. Let’s praise and give thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ for his creations specially the mothers.
