Harvest Pointe Christian Church, Milford Ohio is a non-denominational Christian Church (Church of Christ) on the Eastside of Cincinnati OH

Mom Already Knows I Appreciate Her | Series: Spiritual Mythbusters | 05-10-09

Mom Already Knows I Appreciate Her
Series:  Spiritual Mythbusters
Proverbs 12:10-31

I appreciate your character.

I appreciate the fact that you're a good wife.

I appreciate your hard work.

I appreciate your compassion.

I appreciate your joy.  

I appreciate your faith in God.

Full Text 

Today we are beginning a series on the family.

Regardless of your age or marital status,
    these messages will apply to you as
we strive to uphold marriage and family in a culture where the sanctity of both are under attack.

We're calling this series, Spiritual Myth Busting.

There are a lot of beliefs that our culture frequently
    crams down our throats. 
It has been said, "Any lie will come to be accepted
    if it is repeated enough times."

So, I want you to have a Biblical worldview,
    a perspective that goes back to God's inspired word
        in order to find the answers for our everyday lives. 

And on this Mother's Day we want to
    debunk the myth that says,
        "Mom already knows I appreciate her."

We make all sorts of excuses for
    not telling or showing our mothers we love them:
"She already knows," or,
"She doesn't tell me she loves me." 
"She hurt me when I was younger, or,
"You know, we don't talk or see one another anymore" 
"I told her I loved her last year…
    it's just kind of understood."
Turn in your Bible to Proverbs, Chapter 31. 
Throughout the Bible we are commanded
    to honor mothers.   

We're going to walk our way through this passage remembering two things from the outset. 

1. (just so you catch the flavor of
    Solomon's journalistic style in this chapter),
when he writes this in the Hebrew language,
    the passage from verse 10 through 31 is
        a lengthy acrostic. 

In other words each verse begins with
    a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. 
And it is Hebrew poetry.

That would be like you writing a poem where
    the 1st letter of the 1st line begins with the letter "A".
    The 1st letter of the 2nd line begins with the letter "B".
    And the 1st letter of the 3rd line begins with the letter "C".
        And so on through the alphabet.

2. Realize that it is impossible for a wife or a mother
    to fulfill every attribute in Proverbs 31. 
That's unrealistic,
    so don't put undue stress on yourself or someone else. 

As you listen ladies, and for all of us,
    you will hear me speak about some areas in which
        your mom excels. 

So don't let this message depress you and say,
    "I could never be all that." 

Just understand that there will be some areas where
    you excel and
        some areas in which you can improve.

Our goal is simply to help everyone find something
    that they appreciate about their mom.

She may live hundreds of miles away,
    she may live with you in your home, but
        mothers need to hear it. 
To believe otherwise is a myth and
    so let your mouth say some of what is in your heart.

Jesus was always encouraging people by
    acknowledging their good traits.

Jesus said, "Woman, you have great faith!" Matthew 15:28
"Well done, good and faithful servant!" Matthew 25:21
"I have not found such great faith even in Israel."  Luke 7:9
"This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others."  Mark 12:43
"Today salvation has come to this house."  Luke 19:9
"Today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:43

Complements and words of encouragement!
    Just words, but they meant so much
        to the people that Jesus said them to.

And the same is true when you give complements and words of encouragement to your mom. 
        They mean so much.
Whether your mom is 25 or 95,
    too often the tendency is to
        magnify the imperfections and to
        downplay the strengths.
But please don't do that.

Every mother has some good qualities.
    Focus on them.

Proverbs 31:28 says, "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her."

And we want you to bless your mother as well.

We also recognize that this is
    a very tough day for some people.

Maybe you have lost your mom.  Or
Maybe you are having trouble having a child.
Maybe you're a single mom wishing you had
    a good husband beside you to appreciate you.
Maybe you had an abortion in the past and
    you now wish there was one more with you.
Maybe you were abused by your mother
    the very thought of her causes bad feelings.

If this is a tough day for you,
    I hope that somehow the Spirit will minister to you
        through these words in Proverbs 31.

So, here is the 1st thing you might want to
    say to your mother.
I appreciate your character.

Many of you will honestly be able to say that to your mom. 

    Proverbs 31:10: "A wife of noble character who can find?  She is worth far more than rubies."

Integrity, honesty is a characteristics that
    stands out for a woman of character. 

And when you think about your mom,
    are there some characteristics that you see that
        show that she walks with Christ? 

That she is a person who has a good reputation that makes people say, "Your mom is special. 
        I wish I was more like her!"

Maybe when you think of your mom you think of
    how different you are from what you should be.

Tony Campolo says that
    in his teenage years he was terrified
        by a visiting pastor's depiction of the Judgment Day. The pastor claimed that one day
    God would show us a movie of
        every single sinful thought, word, or action
            we ever committed. 
And he ended his description by saying,
    "And your mother will be there to watch it!"

Mothers have that power over us. 
    All they have to do is give you that look and
        you know you are in trouble, or close to it.
    They can change your decision with a word. 

Television shows enjoy highlighting the blunders of
    moms who lack character.

Maybe it's time we had some shining examples of
    women of integrity and faithfulness. 

Housewives who aren't desperate but are dedicated. 
    We need moms who have noble character. 

And that character needs to be
    passed along to the children.

There has never been a perfect mom, and
    there never will be.
But if your mom is a woman of character,
    let her know you appreciate her.

I appreciate the fact that you're a good wife.

Proverbs 31:11, 12 tells us:
"11 Her husband has full confidence in her
       and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
       all the days of her life."

The best way to be a good mother is to be a good wife. 

Look Verse 23: "Her husband is respected at the city gate,
       where he takes his seat among the elders of the land."

Maybe part of the reason he is respected in the city is because he's respected in the home. 
By being a good wife,
    your husband becomes a better man. 

So moms, remember that
    there are eyes watching your marriage.
The example you set in your marriage
    will be remembered and imitated by your children. 

Again, there's never been a perfect mom, but
    if your mom has been a faithful and loving wife
        then compliment her on that.

Moms, also…
I appreciate your hard work.

Proverbs 31:13-19 reads:
"13 She selects wool and flax
       and works with eager hands.
 14 She is like the merchant ships,
       bringing her food from afar.
 15 She gets up while it is still dark;
       she provides food for her family
       and portions for her servant girls.
 16 She considers a field and buys it;
       out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
 17 She sets about her work vigorously;
       her arms are strong for her tasks.
 18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
       and her lamp does not go out at night.
 19 In her hand she holds the distaff
       and grasps the spindle with her fingers."

Makes you tired just reading all this, doesn't it!

This is not a mom who is
    watching soap operas all afternoon and
        expecting the other family members to do all the work. 

This virtuous mother is involved in all aspects of the family.
  
According to a Pre-Mother's Day study released by Salary.com, a Waltham, Massachusetts-based firm that
        studies workplace compensation,
in 2008, if a stay-at-home mom could be compensated
    for the many different jobs she does
in dollars rather than
    in personal satisfaction and unconditional love,
        she would make nearly $117,000 a year. 

That's a very realistic amount for all they do.
     It's tough to be a mom…there are so many things to do! 

And what would happen if she didn't do them?
    Let's see!!

VIDEO:  MOTHER'S DAY OFF

Truly, Mothers have a ministry of their own.

Emlyn Riggle, wrote the following: "I am a full-time minister. You may not recognize me though; I don't look like a minister.  I rarely dress like a minister.  And I don't do public speaking."
"My days are not filled with sermon preparations and visits to hospitals. I spend my days feeding faces and changing diapers. I don't have a degree from seminary. My training was primarily gained by countless hours of observation-observing my parents do their "home" work."
   
"I, too, receive payment from my ministry.  My payment however comes in the form of bright morning smiles, picked dandelions, and colored pieces of paper.  And if my fold is especially pleased with my work, then occasionally they will give me a bonus-a hug and a kiss."

 "My pastor ministers to hundreds of people of all ages. But my flock is rather small: only 3, all under the age of 4.  Sometimes my minister is called upon in the middle of
    the night to meet with a parishioner who is suffering a sudden crisis. And occasionally I, too, will have to make an early morning visitation to the bedroom next to mine…either to nurse an illness or calm a fear." 

Stay at home mothers serve in a big way.
But a mother can be virtuous
    if she works outside the home as well.

In Vs. 24 it says,
"She makes linen garments and sells them,
       and supplies the merchants with sashes."

She's a business woman, too!

There's never been a perfect mom, but if
    your mom works hard let her know you appreciate her. 

Mothers…
I appreciate your compassion.

Proverbs 31:20-21
"20 She opens her arms to the poor
       and extends her hands to the needy.
[Some of us could tell story after story of how
    our moms reached out to people and helped them.]
 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
       for all of them are clothed in scarlet."

I remember as a kid my mom always making certain
    I was dressed properly,
        which was too warmly to me!
I remember when I was little
    being so bundled up to go play in the snow,
        I couldn't hardly move.

I walked around like this!!!
    Ever see any kids dressed like that?
    Ever do it to your kids?

I've been blessed with a great mother, and
    a great wife, and even a great mother-in-law!

They care about other people, and
    especially their family.

It's a compassion that doesn't just show in what they do.
    It also shows in what they say.

Moms, your words have
    a powerful impact on your children.
They don't need sarcasm or a condescending tone.
    They need your compassionate encouragement. 

Proverbs 15:4 says:
"The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
       but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."

A number of years ago, Evangelist Bill Glass was speaking to a group of 1000 inmates in a prison and
he asked this question:
    "How many of you had parents who told you that
        one day you'd end up in prison?" 
He said that nearly every one of the inmates
    raised his hand. 
Your words are powerful.
Proverbs 18:21 tells us
    "The tongue has the power of life and death…."

Mothers, be in the construction business and
    not in the demolition business.

Again, there has never been a perfect mom, but
    if your mom shows compassion then
        make certain that you let her know.
       
Next…
I appreciate your joy.  

Proverbs 31:25-27 says:
"25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
       she can laugh at the days to come.
 26 She speaks with wisdom,
       and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
 27 She watches over the affairs of her household
       and does not eat the bread of idleness."

Did you catch that phrase? 
    "She can laugh at the days to come." 

Mothers need a sense of humor.

A couple received a letter from some friends
    announcing the birth of their 4th child. 
As a gift the couple sent the new parents a playpen. 

Two weeks later the new mother responded with this note: "Thanks, many thanks, and thanks again for the playpen. 
        It comes in so handy. 
    I sit in it every afternoon and read and think. 
        When I'm in it the children can't get near me." 
Solomon says that this mom
    watches over the affairs of her household. 

Moms have that 6th sense;
    they know when to come down hard and
        when to give grace. 

Early on in the lives of their children,
    these moms bring joy into their kids' lives. 

How?  By bringing security.
    When a child steps across the line,
        he is punished appropriately.
The child learns where the boundaries are and
    has security and fun.

They learn self-discipline and
    enjoy life as they get older because
        the self-discipline helps them do better in school and
            then later at their job.

Like her, her children can laugh at the days to come.

Of course, spiritual discipline is included here.
    John wrote in III John 4, "I have no greater joy than to
        hear that my children are walking in the truth."

There is no greater joy than knowing your children
    have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

So, mothers, teach your children of Christ and
    model Him for them. 
Look for opportunities to spiritually and verbally
    bring joy into your children's lives and
        make your home a place where they want be.
Sometimes it's not so much the big things that moms do; it's the little things. 

It's that hug.
That word of encouragement when you're down.
It's letting your child know they are loved
    whether a success or a failure.

There has never been a perfect mom, but
    if your mom possesses joy -
        a happiness that comes from within -
            thank her for that quality.

Lastly…
I appreciate your faith in God.

This is the most important virtue a woman can have.

Proverbs 31:30 says:
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
       but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

We all are going to age, but
    have you noticed that those who
        look nice on the inside age more gracefully?

In II Timothy 1:5 the Apostle Paul is writing to
    a young preacher named Timothy and he says,
"I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also."

Isn't it awesome the way the apostle
    Paul gives credit to whom credit is due. 

Even though he has been Timothy's spiritual mentor,
    Paul recognizes that it was the faith that was
        passed along to Timothy long before
            he came on the scene. 

Paul is quick to credit Timothy's mother and grandmother for the spiritual heritage they passed on.

Mothers, by living your faith,
    you can pass it on to your children.

Never get so wrapped up in doing all your jobs that
    you fail to pass on your faith.

They may go astray at some point,
    but they will never forget your authenticity and
when they get older,
    they often return to the fold.

There's never been a perfect mom, but
    if you only have one of these qualities,
        let it be this one.

It means so much more than the others.

Make it your highest priority because
    if your faith in God is real
        most of these others will become easier to have
            through the power of the Holy Spirit
                living inside of you.

It's a myth to think, "Mom already knows I appreciate her." 
    She needs to hear it, see it, and feel it from you. 

Solomon underscores our responsibility to our mothers
    in Proverbs 31:31:
"Give her the reward she has earned,
       and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

Right now I'd like to do something a little different.

If you are not a mother,
    would you join me in giving mothers a standing ovation!

Let's all stand now, and pray.

Dear God,
    We thank you for creating families.  Especially now, we thank you for creating mothers.  We thank you that they were willing to go through discomfort and pain to bring us into the world.  We thank you for women of noble character, women who are good wives.  We thank you for their hard work and compassion.  We appreciate the joy they bring.  But most of all, we appreciate their faith that rubs off on all of us.  We are all blessed by mothers, this wonderful part of your creation.  Thank you.
In Jesus' Name we pray.
Amen

We all wish we had a good relationship with our mothers. But sadly, some mothers won't allow that.
        And it is out of our control.

But there is a much greater, more important relationship that is within our control.
And that is your relationship with your Heavenly Father. 

The question is,
    "Have you accepted His invitation
        to be a part of His family?" 

Have you been willing to say,
    "I want to be spiritually adopted,
        to be a child of the king?" 

If you've never put your trust in Jesus Christ,
    admitting your need for a Savior,
    confessing your faith in Jesus,
    repenting of your sins and
    being baptized into Him,
then we give you the opportunity to step out in faith and
    to do that today.

There are others of you who are already Christians and     you want to be a part of this church family. 
I can't think of a better time to do that than Mother's Day. 

If you have a decision to make,
    meet me down front as we sing together.
Based on a 2008 sermon of Dave Stone of South East Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky