1. PROV 31:10-31 Mothers: Worthy of a Special Day???

2. Introductory Thoughts Eight-year-old Mary wrote her mother a note for Mother’s Day. "Dear Mother, here is the box of candy I bought you for Mother’s Day. IT IS VERY GOOD CANDY. I KNOW, BECAUSE I ALREADY ATE 3 PIECES.“ Eight-year-old Carol also wrote her mother said, "DEAR MOTHER, HERE ARE 2 ASPIRINS. HAVE A HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY."

3. Introductory Thoughts Six-year-old Johnny and his four-year-old sister Suzy presented their mom with a Mother’s Day present; a small, spindly house plant. While it wasn’t the finest looking specimen, they had bought it with their own money and Mom was thrilled. She hugged and kissed her children and told them she loved them for thinking of her…Johnny said, "There was some other flowers we wanted to buy for you, Mom, but we didn’t have enough money." "Yeah," said sister Suzy, "they had a real nice bunch of flowers at the shop that we were going to buy." "But I love this plant," said the happy mother. "I know, Mom," said Johnny, "but these flowers would have been perfect for you. They were in a wreath and they had a ribbon that said ’REST IN PEACE’ on it AND YOU’RE ALWAYS ASKING FOR A LITTLE PEACE SO YOU CAN REST.“ Giving birth does not make a woman a mother. It takes a special woman to be a mother. A mother is a person who is willing to take the responsibility of investing her life into another human being who is totally de-pendent upon her to do so:

4. Introductory Thoughts THE ONE WHO FOLLOWS ME (Author not given)  A careful mother I ought to be, A little one is following me I do not dare to go astray For fear she’ll go the selfsame way. I cannot once escape her eyes, Whatever she sees me do, she tries. Like me she says she’s going to be That little one who follows me. She thinks that I am good and fine, Believes in every word of mine; The base in me she must not see That little one who follows me. I must remember as I go Through summer’s sun and winter’s snow I am building for the years to be That little one who follows me.

5. Why celebrate Mother’s Day? Consider the following passages  Ex 20:12; Lev 19:3; Deut 5:16; Mt 15:4-6, 19:19; Mk 7:9-13, 10:19 The Bible teaches very clearly that we are to honor our father and mother  This means more than just obeying them while we are young and one day caring for them when we they become old We have chosen as a society to set aside to one day at of the year to specifically remember and honor our mothers  We must not forget that we should be doing this each and every day of our lives but there is certainly nothing wrong with honoring these special people in our lives

6. Why celebrate Mother’s Day? Why celebrate our mothers  They bring us into this world  They nurture us  They provide for us  They raised us up  They teach us  They discipline us  They change the world through the influence they have upon us As we continue on this morning we will be looking at some mothers who made a difference

7. Ex 1:8-2:10 Jochebed: The Protective Mother (Ex 1:8-2:10) Moses’ mother took great personal risk in protecting her son Today our mothers protect us in many ways  Physically: by keeping us from danger  Morally: by teaching us right from wrong  Emotionally: by keeping us from things they knew would hurt us  Spiritually: by teaching us to love and serve the Lord

8. 1 Sam 1 Hannah: The Supportive Mother (1 Sam 1) Hannah prayed for a son for many years (she was barren) v20 After years of prayer and endurance, God gave her a son (v20) v 20-28 In turn she gave her son to the Lord (v 20-28)  It was sort of a deal she had struck with Lord…give me a son and I will give him back to You  Samuel was taken to the Lord’s house when he was an appropriate age and was left with the priests to become a servant of the Lord  Hannah continued to support him in the work of the Lord

9. 1 Sam 1 Hannah: The Supportive Mother (1 Sam 1) Three things we can learn from Hannah  God answers prayer concerning children  We should give our children to the Lord to use as He sees fit  We should support our children in their service to the Lord

10. 2 Tim 1:1-5 Eunice: The Instructive Mother (2 Tim 1:1-5) Timothy, along with both his grandmother and mother, were Jewish believers who heard about Christ and accepted Him The faith that existed in Timothy first existed in his grandmother, then his mother, and then was passed onto Timothy They served as an example to him teaching him the scriptures

11. 2 Tim 1:1-5 Eunice: The Instructive Mother (2 Tim 1:1-5) Mothers should ask themselves, How much time do I spend talking and sharing scripture with my children  They should be hearing about God from you  You should be teaching them songs about Jesus  You should be teaching them about Jesus  You should be getting them to services and Bible classes  You should be sharing in their Sunday school lessons

12. Mary: The Loyal Mother (Jn 19:25a) Right there by the cross stood Jesus’ mother She remained loyal to her son till His death Mothers possess the amazing ability no matter what their children do, no matter what they go through…they remain loyal to their children Moms don’t give up…this of course does not mean you approve or condone of their sin Many of us have moms that could have given up on us…but they didn’t, they hung in there and remained loyal to us

13. Conclusion Since it is clear from Scripture that we are to honor our mothers as they are responsible for our well- being, we should take time out to honor these wonderful people in our lives Mothers, it is also clear that given the incredible responsibility you have chosen to take on, you must take your role seriously and look to God for guidance May the Lord bless our many mothers and the children they are raising today…