MOTHERHOOD

Proverbs 31:10-31

By David J. Riggs (Editor's note: I obtained some of the following
material from John Smith).

Intro.
   A. No one rises to any higher plane of moral accomplishment than
      does a godly mother.
   B. No one selflessly sacrifices as a mother. She shares her body  
      with the unborn, gives nourishment, protection; and shares her 
      time, energy, talent, and her very heart as she weeps and      
      laughs through the turbulent changes from childhood to         
      adulthood.
   C. No task on earth requires more dedication, commitment, and
      highly refined skills tempered by compassion & patience, as a
      mother.
   D. No human obligation less adaptable to substitution than
      motherhood.
   E. As we look at the various functions of motherhood, let us be
      moved to gratitude for our mothers.

I. GODLY MOTHERS ARE MANAGERS OF THE HOME. Prov. 31:27-28
   A. Note God's order in 1 Tim. 5:14 - marry, bear children, guide
      home.
      1. Keeping the home, not advancing a career, is her primary
         responsibility.
      2. Seek and find satisfaction, fulfilling, "yourself" in
         motherhood.
      3. After years of experimentation, selfish ambition, and       
         career-first attitudes, our society is slowly beginning to  
         experience a "backlash" against surrogate motherhood. 
   B. The "worthy woman" was an example of a domestic manager.
      1. An efficient manager of the home - vs. 21-22.
      2. Has her priorities in order. Even though she had pursuits
         outside of the home (v. 16, 24), her family comes first (vs.
         15, 18 - comes before outside interests).
      3. Such a woman complements her husband (v. 23) and
         contributes to a bright future for her family. (v. 25)

II. GODLY MOTHERS ARE MODELS OF OBEDIENCE.
   A. First & foremost, she is obedient to the Lord. James 4:7
      1. Second, to her husband. 1 Peter 3:1, 5-6
      2. She becomes the role model, as well as the primary teacher,
         of her children.
      3. At a banquet, the mother of George Washington was sitting
         beside a distinguished French officer. Turning to
         Washington's mother, the officer asked, "How have you
         managed to rear such a splendid son?" She replied, "I taught
         him to obey." 
   B. A model of obedience is seen in Mary. Luke 1:38
      1. What greater attitude than "Let it be to me according to    
         your word."
      2. What were her options?
         a. She could run away, offer excuses, argue with the angel, 
            demand answers, simply refuse, or surrender.

III. GODLY MOTHERS ARE THE TEACHERS OF GOOD THINGS.
   A. This reflects God's original plan for the operation of the     
      human family.
      1. The book of Proverbs is full of admonitions that clearly    
         show that mothers are to be teachers:
         a. Prov 1:8 - "Do not forsake the law of thy mother"
            becomes a common expression in Proverbs.
         b. Prov. 31:1 - King Lemuel was taught by his mother.
            (1) Take note of what she is teaching her son. Prov.
                31:3-5, 8-9
      2. Teaching is done largely by example.
         a. When our actions and words don't harmonize, we do
            our children a great disservice. They recognize us as
            hypocrites and the effectiveness of the teaching is
            destroyed.
         b. We should never demand more of our children that we
            do of ourselves.
   B. Examples of good mothers:
      1. Jochebed is an example of a worthy mother.
         a. Her son was born in the midst of difficult and perilous
            times (Ex. 2:1-10).
            (1) Moses' mother instilled faith in her child, because
                later he was able to make a wise choice. Heb.
                11:23-26
      2. Hannah as an example of a mother who encouraged her son
         to excel in good things.
         a. She prayed earnestly for a child. 1 Sam. 1:11-18
         b. She gave her child to the Lord as she had promised. 1
            Sam. 1:24-28
            (1) She continues to provide for her child. 1 Sam.
                2:18-19
      3. Eunice and Lois, were the good mother and grandmother of
         Timothy.
         a. Acts 16:1b; 2 Tim. 1:3-5, 3:15; Phil. 2:19-21

IV. MOTHERS ARE HELPERS OF THE HELPLESS.
   A. Is there anything more helpless than an infant? 
      1. Mothers have a wonderful ability to love their children
         regardless of how ungrateful or hurtful they may be at      
         times. Prov. 10:1
         a. Think of how often our mothers have to be nurses,
            teachers, housekeepers, cooks, chauffeurs, counselors,
            and friends. Baby birds are out of the nest in one       
            season, and the mother bird becomes free from caring for 
            them. Our mothers are forever. They continue to do things
            for us even when we get older. They never stop caring
            about us.
   B. Through her teaching of good things, the godly mother "builds"
      her house. Prov. 14:1a
      1. The wisdom of God is exhibited in motherhood. The greatest
         lessons we have ever learned have come from loving, caring,
         sacrificing mothers who were always available to us.

V. MOTHERS ARE TO BE RESPECTED AND HONORED. Prov. 31:28
   A. Respect for mothers is rooted in the O.T. & sprouts in the N.T.
      1. Lev. 19:3; Prov. 23:25
      2. Eph. 6:2
      3. Consider what God thinks of a disrespectful child:
         a. Prov. 19:26, 20:20, 30:17
         b. Deut. 21:18-19
         c. "Disobedience to parents" is a manifestation of
            worsening society - 2 Tim. 3:2; Rom. 1:30
   B. A man stopped at the flower shop to order some flowers to be
      wired to his mother who lived 200 miles away. As he got out of
      his car he noticed a girl sitting on the curb sobbing. He asked
      her what was wrong and she replied, "I wanted to buy a red rose
      for my mother, but I only have 75 cents and a rose costs $2."  
      The man smiled and said, "Come on in with me. I will buy you a 
      rose for your mother." He placed his FTD order of flowers to   
      his mother and bought a rose for the girl. As they were leaving
      he offered the girl a ride. She responded, "Yes, please, if you
      could. Take me to my mother," and she directed him to a        
      cemetery where she placed the rose on a freshly dug grave. The 
      man returned to the flower shop, canceled the wire order,      
      picked up the flowers and drove the 200 miles to his mother's  
      home.
      1. Love needs to be expressed in deeds. 1 John 3:18

Concl.
   A. "Like mother, like daughter" is a Bible expression. Ezek. 16:44
      1. Most of us can trace what admirable qualities we possess to
         our mothers.
      2. Have you taken the time to thank her? 
   B. Let each of us thank God for His wisdom as expressed in His    
      plan for the human family.
   C. "Mother's Are.." by Floyd Wood
      Blowers of noses and washers of ears,
      Smoothers of bumped spots and wipers of tears,
      Bathers of babies and umpires of spats,
      Finders of boots and mittens and hats,
      Helpers with lessons and makers of beds,
      Shakers of dustcloths and combers of heads,
      Button-sew-oners and winders of clocks
      Menders of dresses and darners of socks.
      Tellers of stories and readers of books,
      Judges and juries of conduct and looks,
      Doctors of heartaches and hearers of prayers,
      Generals directing all family affairs,
      Tenders of home fires and builders of men,
      (Oh, for the gift of an adequate pen!)
   D. Oh, if we could only adequately tell the worth of mothers!