Trey H. Little

Sermon Text:  Proverbs 31: 10-31 (The Message)

May 8, 2011 (Mother’s Day)

Albany, Texas

“Call Her Blessed”

I want to invite you to open your Bibles to Proverbs 31.  Before I read our sermon text for this morning I want to thank you all for allowing Leslie and I to have a little time away—what a glorious time we had—a time of rest; reading, revival, prayer and discernment—to put it simply, our time together was priceless.  Thanks.

When I returned I had an email from a colleague:  It said, “Diaper spelled backwards is “REPAID”—think about it! 

Let us now turn to God’s word—I will begin reading at verse 10.

            A four-year-old and a six-year-old presented their Mom with a house plant for Mother’s Day.  They had used their own money and she was so thrilled with their gift—and of course, as Moms do—she went on and on about how much she loved the plant.  Then, the older of the two kids said with a sad face:  "There was a bouquet that we wanted to give you at the flower shop, it was real pretty Mom but it was just too expensive.  It even had a ribbon on it that said, 'Rest In Peace.'  We thought it would be just perfect for you since you are always asking for a little peace so that you can rest."  And all the moms in the church said, “AMEN!”

            There is something very special about a mother.  Mothers know just where to put the Band-Aid to make the hurt go away.  Mothers know just how to cook the green peas to make them edible.  Mothers know just how to rub your back to make you go to sleep.  Mothers know just what to say to make you feel like you are the only person she ever thinks of.  Mothers know just how high to pull up the covers when it comes time to be tucked in at night.  And for some reason—regardless of how old you are—mothers know just how to look at you to make you straighten up!  Mothers know just what to say to you when others have said all of the wrong
 things.  Mothers know how to get the stains out of your favorite pants and know how to sew on a button so you can wear them.  Mothers are incredible—I don’t know how they do it—how can they carry on a conversation on the phone; change a diaper, stir the spaghetti, pay the Girl Scout at the door for the 5 boxes of cookies her husband ordered—all at the same time—and still SMILE? 

            And I am convinced the International Call for ANYTHING is:  Mooom!

            The other day I read a story of a woman who had quit working outside the home in order that she could be a “stay at home mom” and take care of her new baby daughter.  It wasn’t long until the countless hours of peek-a-boo and other games began to take their toll.  One evening as she was walking out of her daughter’s room she jammed her bare toes right into the corner of a dresser sending her to the floor in pain.  Her husband rushed to her side and asked where it hurt.  She looked at her husband through her tear-filled eyes and managed to moan, "It's the piggy that ate the roast beef"
 (Parables, Etc. Vol. 21. No 4, June 2001, pg. 1).

            Is their any wonder why mothers need some peace so they can rest?

            This morning I want to give a word, primarily to moms but also to children and husbands.  Proverbs 31: 28 from the NIV translations says, “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”  Peterson put it this way, “Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:  ‘Many women have done wonderful things, but you’ve outclassed them all!’”

            So, let’s begin with the children.  And when I say children, I am referring to all of us—young and old alike—because we would not be here if it weren’t for our moms.  Think about those times when your mother baked you those cookies late one night simply because you said you were craving them.  Think about those times when she hung your hand print on the refrigerator and bragged to everyone about how creative you were.  Think about those times when she made your bed, cooked your dinner, folded your clothes, cleaned your bathroom, and still had enough love left to tuck you in and say a prayer with you.  

            But don’t forget those times when she was the first one to give you a hug after a hard day in the sixth grade or after your first trip home from college because you were “homesick.”  Don’t forget about those times when she cooked your favorite meal and rolled out the red carpet when you brought home a group of new friends.  Don’t forget those times when she didn’t always say what she really wanted to say about the person you were dating.  Don’t forget how she insisted you get up and get dressed for church—because she knew it was the right thing to do and the right place to be.  Don’t forget that she has listened to you
 yell at her in disgust and anger because you didn’t get your way—and yet has still prayed for you every day of your life.

            You see, if we reflect on just what our moms have been to us—how can we not “call her blessed.”  How can we not respect her and sing her praises?

            And for us husbands—we too have something to be reminded of this morning. We need to remember to join in with words of praise.  We need to praise our wife and the mother of our children for all she does.  We need to praise her for taking care of us.  We need to praise her for taking care of the house.  But we also need to support her in her pursuit of what interests her—whether it is a hobby or a career.  We need to show her that we respect her—we do so by listening to her; by praying for her; by giving her thanks when she least expects it.  We
 need to romance her and treat her as if she truly is “worth more than diamonds or rubies” to us.

            Husbands, let’s face it—we are all guilty of being lazy.  We get lazy when it comes to affirming and encouraging our wives.  As the years go on we begin to take the things our wives do for us for granted.  And the truth is—when we do so, our relationships suffer and eventually they will become nothing more than two people living in the same house.  The relationship will be on the surface only.  So husbands, tell your wife:  “Many women have done wonderful things, but you’ve outclassed them
 all!’”

            Finally, I want to speak a word to you moms—now is not the time to be getting a big ego!  I want to encourage you to listen to how Peterson translated verse 30—it says:  “Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.  The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.”

            Moms, no matter what, make your relationship with the Lord your first priority.  Allow Him to shape you into the Godly woman and mom He has called you to be.  Spend time with Him and ask Him to give you the rest and peace and patience you long for.  Ask Him to continue to give you the character and integrity He desires for you to have in order that you may continue to influence your household.  But most of all, remember that you are not alone—your Lord promises that He will never leave you nor forsake you.

            As I prepared for this sermon—I asked several moms to answer a question for me.  The question was:  “As a mom, what do you need most?”  Listen to some of their responses.  “I need patience—and a 28 hour day.”  “I need my family to support me with physical strength, loving words, and prayerful thoughts.”  “I need for my husband to encourage me and I need to know he is praying for me.”  “I need a complete spa day”—(guys, it’s not too late
 to give her the gift she really wants).  “I need sincere appreciation.”  “I need a full day for some ‘me’ time!”  “I need patience.”  “I need love and time alone.”  I need a helpful spouse.”  I need faith and wisdom.”  Finally, as a mom, what I need most—“I need to be needed.”

            Friends, moms need to be “REPAID” with blessings—we need to “Call her blessed!”

            Children remember to pray for and to value your mother.  Husbands, remember to pray for and value your wives.  Moms remember to pray for and the value you are to your family.  

            But all of us must remember that God values us—that is evidenced by the fact that He was willing to give His son Jesus so that we all might receive value worth living for.  And if you think about it—isn’t that what we all need most?

            So today, I want to leave you with two phrases to complete.

            First, “I thank God for my mom because...”

            Second, “I thank God for my Jesus because…”

            Seems like an appropriate thing for us to do today and every day!!

            AMEN.