Weekly Sermon

“A MOTHER’S DAY CARD FROM GOD” PROVERBS 31:10 MAY 14, 2006

INTRODUCTION: Today is “Mother’s Day”! I have a problem with Mother’s Day! It’s not that I don’t LIKE Mother’s Day … or that I DISAGREE with it … or that I DREAD it. My problem is that I don’t know how to preach a good Mother’s Day sermon. Mother’s Day is perhaps (for me) the most difficult sermon to preach all year.

Why is it so hard to preach a Mother’s Day message? Because while Mother’s Day can be a very happy, joyous day … it can also be a very sad day … a day of pain & grief. Not everybody looks forward to Mother’s Day. Those who have recently lost their moms- or who have lost children- are often reminded of their loss most powerfully on Mother’s Day. Others did not have great examples of motherhood, or are struggling with guilt of their own failures as a mom. Still others never know their real mom, or are never able to have children of their own.

Truth is, not every home is like the “Cleavers” … or the “Brady Bunch” … or “The Cosbys”… or any other happy TV family. Maybe your home is more like the “Ozzie Osbourne Family” than it is the “Ozzie Nelson Family”! Yet, some of you have been raised in good homes, have wonderful parents, and are wonderful parents. I thank God for you … and you should thank God, too … AMEN?

Today, I want to encourage each of you … especially the Mothers. Each of you have been affected by Motherhood in one way or another, for good or bad. Everyone here either: has a mother … had a mother … is a mother … is married to a mother … or knows a mother. So I want to read to you “A Mother’s Day Card From God”.

Most Mother’s Day Cards have a little message printed inside of them. It’s important what’s written in a Mother’s Day Card, so you go to great care to pick out one that matches your sentiments for your mother. If you buy a Christian card, there is usually a verse of Scripture printed in the card. That’s what God’s Mother’s Day Card has in it (see bulletin insert).

Mothers have a very difficult job … more of a ministry than a job. Fortunately, God doesn’t bless you with Motherhood, then leave you hanging out to dry. He’s given you His Word to encourage you, help you, bless you, comfort you, give you direction. Hopefully this morning you will hear a word from God to you:

1- WHEN YOU FEEL DISCOURAGED Mom … have you ever been discouraged? Motherhood isn’t for the weak or faint-hearted, is it? Mothers need a lot of encouragement on a daily basis. So listen to what God writes on the inside of His Mother’s Day Card to you: (have everyone read Isaiah 40:28-31- Have you never heard or understood? Don’t you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.) Mom, when you feel like giving up … don’t! Why? Because God really does “understand” (40:28b). Can you identify with 40:29? Here is your word of encouragement from God (read 40:31, 41:10).

Moms, when you get discouraged, open up God’s Mother’s Day Card, and read His message to you … and then you can say as Paul did in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”

2- WHEN YOU FEEL ANGRY Mom … have you ever gotten angry with your kids (or their father!)? If you haven’t, you need to be nominated for sainthood! Listen to what God has written on the inside of His Mother’s Day card to you: (have everyone read Ephesians 4:26- … don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,..) Now please note that God doesn’t say it’s wrong to be angry- but He does say that you need to control your anger. And then God says don’t stay angry! (4:26b)

There’s a purpose for anger: you’re supposed to get angry over disobedience, lack of respect, etc. If you didn’t get angry over it, but permitted and encouraged it, you wouldn’t be much of a Mother. But deal with the anger and turn it into a useful tool- not a destructive weapon (See 4:31-32) Remember Proverbs 15:1 – “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.”

Moms, when you feel angry, open up God’s Mother’s Day Card and read His message to you. Don’t let your anger control you … let God control your anger.

3- WHEN YOU NEED HELP Moms, do you ever feel like you’re in the motherhood business alone? I know and you know that most of you have some help, but… do you ever feel like you need more? Open up God’s Mother’s Day Card to you, and see what He’s written in it to you: (have everyone read Proverbs 3:5-6- Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.) Your Heavenly Father is always there to help you (He’s got lots of experience in this area). He’s got some other helpful words of encouragement:

- Psalm 32:8 – “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

- Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”

- Philippians 4:19 – “this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

4- WHEN YOU FEEL ALONE Moms … You can have a houseful of children, all wanting your attention at the same time, and still feel alone… right? You can be in the middle of Wal-mart … with kids hanging off the shopping cart … and still feel alone. Open up God’s Mother’s Day card, and see what He has to tell you this morning: (have everyone read Hebrews 13:5- “I will never leave you; I will never forsake you.”)

It’s strange how we can be in the middle of a crowd, and still feel so alone. Jesus tells you in John 14:18 – “I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.” Sometimes we just need some reassurance that He is there. When Jesus left this earth to return to His Heavenly Father, He left this promise for you: Matthew 28:20 – “be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Moms, you’re not alone in raising your children- God hasn’t abandoned you. Whenever you feel lonely, just open up God’s Mother’s Day card to you … and be assured that He is just a prayer away.

5- WHEN YOU FEEL TIRED Sometimes a “stay-at-home Mom” will be asked this question: “Do you work?” You’re first impulse is probably to punch them in the nose … your second impulse is to laugh hysterically until you cry.

It’s been said that if the typical mother were out in the business world, as a combination taxi driver, judge, lawyer, chef, psychiatrist, teacher, preacher, doctor, and much more, she would be worth $700,000 a year.

Let me ask you again … “Do you work?” That must be why you get so tired! Open up God’s Mother’s Day card, and see what He wrote about this: (have everyone read Matthew 11:28- Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.)

You won’t find “rest” by hiding in the closet … or by locking yourself in the bathroom (I’ve tried that!).

You’ll find “rest” in Jesus – Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”

Moms: When you get to the end of your rope … don’t hang yourself. Come to Jesus for some much deserved rest.

6- WHEN YOU ARE WORRIED Show me a Mother who never worries! You can’t! Worry is a part of being a Mother. Open up God’s Mother’s Day card, and see what He has for you: (have every one read Philippians 4:6-7- Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.) In 1 Peter 5:7 the Bible tells you to “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.” Mothers have very broad shoulders, but they don’t compare to the broad shoulders of God. He can tote a lot more than you can!

There’s an old gospel song says: “Take your burden to the Lord, and leave it there.” Moms… you don’t have to worry (but you will anyhow!). You’ve got Somebody to go to … Who is eagerly waiting for you to unload on Him. Don’t deny Him of the privilege of carrying your burdens for you!

WRAP UP… I hope you have been able to find in this Mother’s Day card some personal messages and encouragements from God to you. Take it home… and take it to heart. Open it up when you need it the most. You will find it all (and more) in His Word … the Bible. Remember … you’re not alone in Motherhood … you can count on your Heavenly Father to be active in raising your children with you. Just give Him the opportunity to be your parenting partner.

NOTE: This sermon is a revision of one written by Pastor Ray Scott