When I see someone in the ER - it’s usually for a need they have
Let’s say someone falls down & has a broken arm
-after x-rays confirm that - a cast like splint is formed & attached
-& as they’re ready to go home, I write down a list of things to do
e.g.
1. keep it elevated
2. keep it in the splint
3. use a sling as longs as its helpful
4. use ice on it for the first two days
5. use 1-2 of the pain pills as needed up to every 4 hours
6. make an appointment with orthopedic surgery in 3-4 days
7. come on back if things are getting worse for some reason
-that’s a typical list that I might write to help someone with a broken arm
I was thinking, let’s make a short list of suggestions that would help a mother
So, this morning, we’ve had some great wisdom shared with us
-by mothers who’ve shared valuable insights
What helps a mother be a mother?
-as I thought of this question - I made a short list myself:
1. supportive husband
2. extended family
3. respectful children
4. family of God
5. God - as our Heavenly Father
So, here’s a challenge to you husbands!
-& most of you young men who aren’t husbands
-because most of you will become husbands
-many of you husbands are fathers & many of you will become fathers
You have a great responsibility to be a supportive husband
-to your wife, as she mothers
-this, responsibility & joyous honor,
-stands at the top of the list of what can help a mother be a mother
-the supportive husband
Ephesian 5:25-33
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
Jesus loved us enough that He sacrificed His life for us
-so that we would be able to be forgiven of our sin
-so that we would be able to become God’s children
-so that we would be able to enjoy God’s rich blessings on into eternity
-so that we could be able to be made into the people God plans for us to be
-love means commitment - Jesus was/is committed to us
Jesus, obviously didn’t just make a brief connection with us
-to enjoy a relationship with us
-& then when things got hard, boring, lacking or empty,
-leave us for “greener pastures”
-like so many, should-be husbands & fathers
-no, Jesus gave us His all, for our benefit & blessing - that’s love
-that’s what we need to be as husbands & fathers
-to our wives & mothers of our children
vv.28-33
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32 This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
26% of children raised in America are raised by single parents
84% of single parents are mothers, 16% fathers
Now, praise the Lord - children can be raised well from single parents
-but, you’ll all agree - the ideal is for a husband & wife parenting together
-a supportive husband is a key element for a mother to mother
Now, in the presence or absence of a father,
-a mother is greatly helped also, by:
2. Supportive extended family
-the children’s uncles & aunts
-maybe, on the top of the list here, are the grandparents
1 Tim 5:8
If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Families have a great responsibility to look after, & care
& help those within their families
What helps a mother be a mother?
3. Respectful children
Ephesians 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother"-which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
It’s right for children to respect their parents
It’s beneficial to the children to respect their parents
Children, if you want life to go well with you,
-if you want the best life that life has to offer,
-then get along well with your parents!
-devote yourself to respecting & loving them in return
-think about how much you help make your mothers job go well
-by respecting her
Don’t you want that?!
What helps a mother be a mother?
4. God’s family the church
We have a responsibility toward one another in our fellowship
-we’re to look after one another - particularly in regard to families in need
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
This is what religion is about!
-loving one another!
Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Teaching is another important way we interact with each other
Titus 2:3-5
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
We’ve heard some great wisdom taught here this morning
-from mothers with experience
What helps mothers be mothers?
5. God, Himself - really should be on the top of the list
-though, I’d say, God is everywhere on this list
-as He’s the One that drives & sustains & orchestrates all the others
-but when it comes right down to it - He’s the single force that helps most
-a mother to be a mother
-even when a mother is all alone, God is there, with her
Psalm 68:3-6
3 But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.
4 Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds —
his name is the Lord — and rejoice before him.
5 A father to the fatherless , a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing;
God goes with us - whoever we are - if we’re His children
-He’s our Rock - on which we stand in this life
-God has a calling for all our lives
-if it’s to be a mother, a father, a child,
-whoever you are, at whatever stage of life you are in
-God is your helper
-He’s there with you
Psalm 46:1-7
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah
7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
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