5 for Mom

For all those mothers who have loved God, and out of that love been there for their children here are 5 Scriptural considerations.  For their children (of any age) to consider.  

Number 1: Cheering

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, Philippians 1:3 (NASB)

Mothers are imperfect humans given a noble task.  They are sometimes carrying a 36 hour job in a 24 hour day, but every minute of the 24 there is a place in their heart for their children.  Give thanks.  Let mom know you appreciate her with your prayers, your attitudes, your words, your kindnesses.

Number 2: Affirming

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

Think about your mother for a moment.  Do positive or negative images come to mind?  If you took a little while you would find both exist, and that is how real women are.  So, given your mom was real and you know it and she knows it focus on what is true without bending reality too far one way or the other.  Look at her honorable traits.  Think about the things she did and said that were right and pure.  See her loveliness, and admire her good qualities.  Think about those things in her that are excellent and worthy of praise. 

Number 3: Rewarding

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. Psalm 127:3 (NLT) 

Having children (blood, borrowed, adopted, etc.) is necessary for a mom to be a mom.  The children are a gift and a reward.  Think about gifts and rewards.  Those are mostly pleasant, positive, surprising, unearned, special things that come to a person.  How have you been a gift and reward from God to your mother?  Or better, how can you be a gift or reward to your mother? 

Number 4: Real Gifting

If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3 (NLT) 

Certain times bring along the idea that gifts, cards, flowers and various sentiments are necessary, but unfortunately they may not always carry the one ingredient that would really make the difference…love.  Not everyone is good at love.  To fully develop love must rest on the love of God and the love God has bestowed and empowered in His people.  To love mom takes more than an emotional moment.  True love toward mom emerges from the deepest inward part of the soul and cannot be disguised no matter what the gift. 

Number 5: Loving

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NLT) 

Mother’s Day cards often include a statement of love in them.  Here is a quote from a card:  

Dear Mom,

Thanks for always being there for me, loving me, caring for me.

 No one can ever replace you in my heart.

Love, Me

As nice as such sentiments are I propose a more fully developed approach.  Like Paul suggests in 1 Corinthians 13.  Practicing love with mom.  When she is frustrating be patient and kind.  Love her without jealousy of something she has or boastful of something you have.  As a child demands its own way and keeps wanting mom’s applause and constant attention the adult child has to move on and not be proud or rude or demand his or her own way.  Loving mom is not about giving in to every whim mom has or every opinion she voices, but it does require not being irritable and not keeping a list of when she did or didn’t do something that offended you.  Being on her team, having her back and supporting those things that are right and good before God are important.  Love her and never give up.  If she is struggling be hopeful.  Endure.  Love…lasts.  Be loving.