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Posted At: 11:58am by Brent Kuhlman
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Fifth Sunday of Easter Trinity Lutheran Church
14 May 2006 Murdock, NE
+ Jesu Juva +
2 Timothy 1:5 “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in you mother Eunice and, I am persuaded now lives in you also.”
A few weeks ago we sat down to have a serious discussion. Now I suppose it's time for another. About: motherhood. There’s a personal need for it. There’s a pastoral need for it.
For motherhood is in jeapordy. I suppose it always has been. Ever since the beginning. The crisis is rejecting and refusing what God Himself has given. And for women that’s being a mother.
So it’s good to hear from God about our mothers. After all, God has much more to say to us than the Hallmark cards, the gifts, and flowers.
First, motherhood is a gift from God. Being a mother is a high and holy calling. It is blessed and honored by God Himself. Eve was the first woman and mother. Her name means “life.” Eve was the mother of all the living. Woman was taken from man. But every man is born of a woman. Everyone has a mother. Motherhood is the great equalizer between men and women. Motherhood is the unique dignity and honor of woman.
I can do lots of things. I think I hit a golf ball pretty well. Not bad on the Wurlizter. Wear a pretty good flat top. But I can’t be a mother! Only women can be mothers. And its time to take pride in that again ladies. Raise your heads high. Be proud that you are a mother. To be a mom is a high and holy calling from God Himself. In fact, it is the highest and holiest calling given a woman by God.
Mothering is a holy work for baptized, believing women. The apostle Paul extols Timothy’s grandmother Lois and mother Eunice because of their faith in Jesus. They passed the Christian faith on to Timothy. Taught him the Bible stories. Taught him to pray. Taught him to believe that Jesus’ Good Friday death was for him. That all his sins are forgiven. That’s the life of faith. Timothy believed. Used Jesus against all his sins.
And then there’s the work of a mother’s love. A mother doesn’t live for herself. She lives for her children. Her life revolves around them. She looks out for them. Provides for them. Feeds, clothes, and cleans them. Goes to practices and games. Sits through recitals and band concerts. Orthodontist appointments. Drivers education. High School graduations and receptions. Puts them through college. Gives solid advice about dating. Cries at the weddings. Delights in being Grandma.
And as any mother can tell you, this is a 24-7-365 vocation. Wears you out. Brings you to exhaustion some days. Frustrates the dickens out of you. And yet being a mother invigorates you. Fulfills you.
Moms, as you give yourself in a sacrificial life of love to your children and family, your work is a sweet smelling offering and sacrifice of praise to God. He loves it. He’s absolutely thrilled by it. So don’t let anyone put you down or belittle you because you’re a mother. Motherhood is God’s wonderful gift to you.
Second, in and through the vocation of motherhood is God at work in the world. Children don’t come from the stork. They are gifts from God Himself. Only Adam and Eve didn’t have belly buttons. God’s design is to use a husband and wife as His instruments to bring children into the world. “Be fruitful and multiply” He commanded Adam and Eve.
And after the kids are born, God provides for them. But how? Well, the cheeseburgers and french fries don’t fall from the sky. Neither do the baseballs, footballs, Nike shocks and Wrangler jeans. God takes care of the kids through mother. God is busy at work in the world through you moms.
Mothers, you are the hands and mouth of God on the earth. Not to hurt or harm your children. But to help them. Love them. Discipline them. Care for them. Tell them about Jesus the way Lois and Eunice did for young Timothy. That’s pretty awesome isn’t it?
Think of that the next time you use your hands or mouth. To pack a lunch for school. To bake chocolate chip cookies. To drive to all the practices. Sitting through all the games. When you fold the laundry. Help pick up the messy room. When your caress your child’s skinned knee or elbow. When you say “I love you.” Or “I forgive you.” Or when you teach your children to make the sign of the holy cross, read the Bible stories, confess the Creed and pray the Lord’s Prayer. When you fold your hands and pray for your children before you go to bed. When you take your child by the hand and say. “We’re going to church today to worship Jesus.” Your hands are God’s hands. Your mouth is God’s mouth.
Moms, you are God’s instruments. GOD WORKS IN THE WORLD THROUGH YOU. HE TAKES CARE OF YOUR CHILDREN THROUGH YOU.
Now that doesn’t mean moms are perfect. They’re not. They sin too. They make mistakes. Many times they blow it big time. Instead of helping you, they harm you. The words come out all wrong. Hard feelings. Grudges. The hurts. The pain. The lost time.
So today is a day for reconciliation and peace with your mother. And mom, this is a day for reconciliation and peace with your children.
The wounds of Jesus are for the healing of the many wounds in your family. His Calvary death for all your sins is the lens by which you view your mother. Consider your mother the way God regards YOU. Totally forgiven for Jesus’ sake.
Jesus died for your mother. Jesus died for you. He is the center of your lives. He’s the go between. The mediator. His love flows through you to the woman who birthed you. Who gave you His life. Forgive her for her faults and mistakes. Give thanks to God for her. No matter how broken or sinful she is. Let that faith that was kindled in Timothy by his grandmother and mother live also in you.
Have a happy Mother’s Day.
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
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