Jump Start # 603

Ephesians 6:2 “Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise)”

Yesterday we gave some thoughts about moms—specifically, the difficulty that Mother’s Day brings to those whose moms have passed away or those whose moms who are less than honorable. It’s hard to honor a person who isn’t deserving, yet God wants us to step up and do the right thing and care for our parents because of the position that they are in.

Today, we look at the positive side of Mother’s Day. The honor and love we express to those moms who really tried and who made a difference. I see such moms on Sundays in church buildings. They are trying to worship God and keep their little ones quiet while everyone worships. These moms come into worship carrying diaper bags, back packs, Bibles and look as if they are off on a long journey. On many Sundays, they get bits and pieces of worship because they are answering questions of little ones, calming disputes between the little ones,  or are taking a little one out so the rest can hear. These moms often look exhausted at the end of worship and I know they often wonder what good it’s doing, for either the child or for her. Yet they come. Every week. That little child grows. Before long, he’s singing the songs the adults are. As he continues to grow, he pays attention to what’s going on, he listens, he learns. In time, he obeys Jesus and becomes a Christian. The heart of mom swells as she witnesses this. That little boy has grown into a fine young man who has developed his own faith in Jesus Christ. As he continues to grow he leads the congregation in singing on Sunday evening. He teaches a class. One day he stands before the congregation and preaches a sermon. So many of us today have a similar story.  We were not raised in the church, we were brought up in Jesus. We started off with such a huge advantage over other kids who never had this regular spiritual influence. Ours wasn’t just at the church building, but it began at home. Our moms made us behave. We had rules and curfews. We had to watch our words and our attitudes. When they were wrong, we got it. We had to share with our brothers and sisters. We had to clean our rooms, eat meals with the entire family, do things as a family and even say prayers. Our moms made sure that our Bible lessons were completed. They wanted to know details about who our friends were and they wouldn’t let us date just anyone nor at the age we thought we ought to.

Our moms were in our lives. Sometimes, often, we rejected that. We wanted to be like the other kids who didn’t have moms like that. They had freedoms. They could say the words we weren’t allowed to. They were the ones who were smoking in middle school. They were the ones who were tasting beer before high school. These are the ones who experimented with drugs and had sexual relations during high school We wanted to be like them. Some of us, joined them. It broke our mom’s heart. We rebelled. We fought her ways. We longed for that far country.

Many of us now are raising our own kids. We have settled into parenthood and now see that our moms kept us from many dangers, hurts and above all introduced us to the goodness of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We were raised where many things were already settled. We knew where we were going to be every Sunday—at church. We knew that certain things were already settled. We were expected to behave—everywhere and at all times. When we didn’t, we got it. Our moms spanked. Our moms preached. Our moms fussed at us. Our moms were molding us and we didn’t even realize it. She kept us from being arrested. She kept us from being kicked out of school. She kept us out of life long addictions. She kept us from running away from responsibilities. She made us apologize when we did something wrong. How embarrassing that was. She fussed at the music we listened to, the clothes that we wore and how late we stayed up.

Most of us remember that. And today, thanks to our loving Savior, and the good work of our moms, we are decent citizens who hold responsible jobs who are making a difference in the community. We don’t walk down the city streets burning things in anger. We don’t sleep on park benches nor expect a free ride. Our moms taught us hard work. Today, we are raising our families. Today we are active in God’s kingdom. Many of us are preaching, shepherding, teaching Bible classes and teaching our friends about Jesus. We can be counted upon in a crisis. We are there for others. We serve. We devote time and energy to others. We are what we are because of Jesus and the influence of our moms. Without those influences, most of us would be a wreck today.

For our moms who are senior citizens now, thank you. Those words do not seem enough for all that you have done. Your work was well done. You made us, shaped us and hopefully we can do a job as well as you did.

For the moms who are in the midst of raising children now, hang in there. It’s more than food and laundry and making beds, it shaping character, it’s molding attitudes, it’s shaping hearts, it’s influencing for good. The kids may fight you about the rules, don’t give in. They may want to be like other kids, don’t let them. Someday, they will thank you. It may take a long time, but they will.

I have been asked more than once if anyone in my family preached before me. My answer is my Mom did. She was always preaching to me. I didn’t like some of the lessons. I didn’t want to hear it many times. But today I am so thankful she did. She knew. She tried. She had help from God.

Thanks, Mom.

Roger