HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY…
Normally
I post the poem, I am the meanest mother.. I always like it.. I saw it first in
the 1980 and thought maybe that is what my kids though of me..
But
this year is different… Because if you
are reading this in the morning … then
as you read this.. my #3 son is giving a sermon in his church… and this is what
he gave me of his speech… it brought tears
to my eyes.. tears of joy… and
amazement..and it is humbling to me… Not only was he listening when he was
young.. and remembered, but he also
remember the reason why… so here you go.. I hope you like it..
What is a mother?
A. What’s your handle?
a. A handle is a self-describing
metaphor. A word that describes you. in the olden days they used them on
CB’s
b. What’s a CB? Citizens band radio-
used to communicate in cars and houses
c. My Dads CB handle was the welder, he
was a mechanic and welder
i.
I
remember Mom often calling him on the radio “how about it welder you got your
ears on”
ii.
Well
my mom’s handle was “Wildcat” and that’s all I got to say about that.
1. If you wanted to test this tell a lie
or tell her no. not good.
d. Who are we , what’s your handle
i.
1peter2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his
own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you
out of darkness into his marvelous light. – We are Christians.
B. Self-control is very important
a. When I was a young boy as far back as
I can remember. Every time we went to the store I heard the same thing coming
from my mom. It was our code; we remember it to this day.
b. In Exodus we learn Thou shalt not
steal
i.
We
all know you got to touch to steal
ii.
So
my Mom being practical Would rehearse this with us before leaving the car
c. Look with your eyes and not with your
hands
i.
It’s
not only about not stealing but not touching what is not yours in respect of
others
d. Self-control is very important
i.
Proverbs
25:28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without
walls.
C. There are consequences in life
a. If we grow up in life without
suffering consequences we will be stunted as individuals
i.
Maturity
takes suffering, we don’t let go of our self-righteousness easily
ii.
As
a young man sometimes my mouth would get the best of me and be an offense to
others, my Mom was to the point and practical as usual. It was a warning that
you took seriously or else…
1. She would look us straight in the eye
with that Clint Eastwood stare and say “Your cruising for a bruising” or “Do
you want a knuckle sandwich “ –and this was no joke
b. Does God hold us accountable?
i.
Romans
1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
ii.
John
3:36 whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the
Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
D. Don t worry
a. If you’re like most kids you have a
few concerns growing up, you have questions
i.
Where
are we going?
ii.
When
will we get there?
iii.
Are
we there yet?
iv.
What’s
for dinner?
b. One of Moms answers was short and to
the point
i.
“Food”
ii.
“You’ll
get what I “
c. The reality is Mom never lets you go
without and the world does not revolve around you
i.
Matthew
6:25 25“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will
eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not
life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
ii.
Matthew
6:31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall
we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the Gentiles seek after all these
things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33But seek first
the kingdom of God
E. Show affection
a. In life you sometimes get down or
feel isolated
i.
Divide
and conquer is a common theme in warfare
ii.
Sometimes
our sin separates us from family
iii.
When
you’ve messed up and broken the rules you feel some distance in your heart
b. It is important to have relationship
that accept one another as people
i.
My
mom would always hug tightly and tell me
she loved me
ii.
Sometimes
for no reason at all
1. I had this tendency to mess up and be
a problem
2. I always knew my Mom cared for me
c. Show love
i.
Romans
5:8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ
died for us.
1. This is not earned it is in our
refusal to listen to Him
ii.
1John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father
hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the
world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1. Our affection is part of family, part
of being a son or daughter.
F. Gaining approval
a. Hard is different for each of us
i.
Does
anyone struggle with grades?
ii.
Do
you have a subject of learning that just doesn’t click?
iii.
Everyone
has thigs that are easy and hard for them
1. Some people are faster than others,
2. Stronger
3. Our intellect is given by God
4. Some struggle with history some
struggle with math
b. Life has adversity
i.
When
we fail we feel rejected-
1. like we are not good enough
ii.
it
can be overwhelming
iii.
we
may emotionally suffer
iv.
If
we can’t win then we shouldn’t fight
v.
when
I was young and struggling with grades and homework
1. often I would spend my evenings doing
work while everyone else was done and gone
a. I just wasn’t getting it. My grades
were suffering
c. Mom would say it doesn’t matter what
your grade is as long as you do your best
i.
If
I put out the effort and really tried I was ok
1. I’m not a failure , I am ok , I’m
acceptable
2. Instead of a performance based
relationship it’s character based
ii.
Slacking
off and just making the grade is apathy
iii.
Putting
out your personal best is what it is all about.
d. Our effort is a matter of character
i.
Delight,
ii.
appetite,
iii.
value,
iv.
esteem
v.
love
e. We rest in God’s love and are free to
act
i.
1
Corinthians 9: 19For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to
all, that I might win more of them. 20To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order
to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not
being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21To those
outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of
God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22To
the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to
all people, that by all means I might
save some. 23I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them
in its blessings
ii.
Philippians
1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
G. The foundation
a. When I was growing up there was this
ideal of Truth , an ah over the book we know as the bible
i.
It
was commonly esteemed as the word of God.
ii.
This
truth underscored any conversation about religious things.
iii.
While
our application of the word is not ideal; many times it amazes me the influence
it has on all our lives
b. The word of God is
i.
Psalm
119:105 your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
ii.
James
1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
iii.
Hebrews
4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow,
and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
H. Conclusion
Motherhood is a powerful thing, shaping the lives and
hearts of future generations. The legacy of a Mother is unmeasurable; you will
never know how great it is. Things you do without thinking are impacting future
generations in beautiful ways. I am a product of my Mother who loved me
protected me and is al..ways there for me –I Love you Mom err Wildcat…..
Maybe I was the meanest mother.. lol… Love you son..
and love each and every one of my kids..
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