Happy Mother's Day

Proverbs 6:20-23 (New International Version)

20 My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 21 Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. 22 When you walk, they will guide you;    when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. 23 For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life.

The year was 1908, just a little more than two years since Jarvis had lost her own mother. Still grieving and struggling for some way to honor her mother, Jarvis held a ceremony in Grafton, West Virginia. She was so moved by what she experienced that she embarked on a national campaign to have our country honor the many contributions that mothers make. In 1910, West Virginia became the first state to celebrate Mother’s Day and a year later, most of the country’s other states officially set aside the day as well. The momentum was obviously too great for President Wilson to refuse Jarvis’ quest to honor her own mother by designating a day each year for all of us to honor our mothers. In fact, our country has celebrated Mothers Day on the second Sunday in May ever since President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it as a national holiday in 1914.

The author of these verses is Solomon. Solomon was the wisest person who ever lived. He knew that the day we start ditching our parent's teaching is the same day our life starts heading towards the ditch.

Just what have we learned from our mother? Let’s look at the list that follows to see what we each have learned from our moms.

*My Mother taught me about ANTICIPATION:

"Just wait until your father gets home."

*My Mother taught me about RECEIVING:

"You are going to get it when we get home!"

*My Mother taught me to MEET A CHALLENGE:

"What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you...Don't talk back to me!"

*My Mother taught me LOGIC:

"Because I said so, that's why."

&

"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

*My Mother taught me to THINK AHEAD:

"If you don't pass your spelling test, you'll never get a good job."

*My Mother taught me ESP:

"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you're cold?"

*My Mother taught me HUMOR:

"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

*My Mother taught me how to BECOME AN ADULT:

"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

*My Mother taught me about GENETICS:

"You're just like your father."

*My Mother taught me about my ROOTS:

"Do you think you were born in a barn?"

*My Mother taught me about WISDOM OF AGE:

"When you get to be my age, you will understand."

*My Mother taught me about JUSTICE:

"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you. Then you'll see what it's like."

*My mother taught me RELIGION:

"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

*My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL:

"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

*My mother taught me FORESIGHT:

"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

*My mother taught me IRONY:

"Keep crying and I'll *give* you something to cry about."

My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS:

"Shut your mouth and eat your supper!"

*My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM:

"Will you *look* at the dirt on the back of your neck!"

*My mother taught me about STAMINA:

"You'll sit there until all that spinach is finished."

*My mother taught me about WEATHER:

"It looks as if a tornado swept through your room."

*My mother taught me how to solve PHYSICS PROBLEMS:

"If I yelled because I saw a meteor coming toward you, would you listen then?"

*My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY:

"If I've told you once, I've told you a million times: Don't Exaggerate!!!"

*My mother taught me THE CIRCLE OF LIFE:

"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

*My mother taught me about ENVY:

"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do!"

Take the time today to thank your mom for all she has done for you.

Dear Lord we thank You today for our mothers. We pray that we would not only honor them on Mother’s Day but throughout the year for all that they do for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.