A Cant Miss Mother's Day Gift
My New Job
I have a temporary job title. For the next two weeks I will be assuming the role of “Mr. Mom.” I work for a great company who has graciously given me a couple weeks off to stay at home with Avery as Rachel goes back to work. I am excited about the opportunity to be at home with Avery and bond with her. Seeing as I will have my job title over Mother’s Day I asked Rachel if she was going to get me something for Mother’s day. She laughed at the joke and quickly gave me a “no.” Truth is I am glad it is a joke. The role of Mother is not an easy one to fill. I have only been on the job as “Mr. Mom” for a few days and I am already getting looks from Avery. They are looks that tell me “Mom does not do it that way…” and “Mom does it way better than you Dad… Thanks for trying… I guess.” Now that I have a mother and a child living in my house I am learning one thing more and more everyday, moms are amazing.
All Those with Moms, Please Pay Attention…
In both my Mother and my wife, who is now a Mother, I see women who are servants at heart. They are patient and loving. They are kind and encouraging. The list could go on and on. Anyone who has a mother would be able to provide long lists of the great qualities their Mothers posses. Because Moms are so amazing it was decided that once a year we would stop and celebrate them. While this is a nice gesture and a worthy use of time the Bible calls us to more than a one-day celebration of our Mothers.
“… Forsake not your Mother’s teaching. For they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.”
~Proverbs 1:8-9
Paul reinforces this proverb when he instructs Timothy with the following,
“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well... But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it. And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
~2 Timothy 1:5 and 2 Timothy 3:14-15
Lessons from Mom
One of the great responsibilities that Mothers carry is to teach their children. I can recall many lessons my Mom taught me. As a youngster she would go over Bible stories with my brothers and I. She would use these stories to explain who God is. Sometimes these lessons came from my disobedience. Lessons in these situations often looked like the wooden spoon in the kitchen making an appearance. Once the tears were gone and I was in a very “teachable” state she would explain what the Bible says about my actions and what God expects of me. As I got older Mom taught me about life and God in casual conversation. It would be in a car ride or on the couch after bedtime. While the method of delivery may have changed as I grew up what did not change is that my Mom was teaching me about God and life. Her message never changed either. Her message was to follow hard after God.
Paul’s encouragement to us is to never forget the truths that our Mothers have taught us. Mothers are not perfect people, which means their teaching is not perfect. However, Paul tells us that as long as their teaching aligns with God’s Word it is teaching that we should “continue in."
The Best Mother’s Day Gift
If we are interested in honoring our Mothers on this Mother’s Day it is less about cards, breakfast in bed, flowers, candy, or any other gifts. It is more about living out the truths they have taught us. Here are a couple of Proverbs that remind us of the impact we have when we don’t “continue in” the teaching we have been given from our Mothers.
“… A foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.”
~Proverbs 10:1
“A foolish man despises his mother.”
~Proverbs 15:20
Hopefully all of us get to see our Mother’s smile on Mother’s Day (whether it be in person or over the phone). The best way to keep your Mother smiling is to live in a way that honors God and the teaching that she invested into you as you’ve grown. Living out God’s Word and your Mother’s teaching is a “can’t miss” Mother’s Day gift. On this Mother’s Day thank your Mom for what she has taught you and how it has impacted your life.
A Word of Thanks to the Moms in My Life
Mom,
Thank you for teaching me to love God. Thank you for teaching me to look at the needs of others. Thank you for always being a listening ear. Thank you for living out these teachings before me so I could understand what it all looked like!
Rachel,
Thank you for taking on the challenge of being a godly Mother to our daughter. Thank you for already thinking through the many things we want to teach and instill into Avery. Thank you for putting God first and working to live it out before our daughter so she can understand what it means to follow hard after God. Thank you for being Avery's Mom so my stint as "Mr. Mom" is only for a few short weeks. Believe me when I say she thanks you as well.
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