In Celebration of Moms!

by Tim Howard

This weekend our nation celebrates all mothers!

Anna Jarvis was the catalyst for this tradition of honoring mothers and because of her persistence – on May 9, 1914 by an act of congress, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.

Even prior to that decision, God gave us the Ten Commandments and the 5th commandment says: “Honor your father and your mother so that you may live long…” Ex. 20:12. It is the only commandment with a promise.

Being a mom is not so easy! One woman said: ‘‘before I was married, I had three theories about raising children. Now, I have three children and no theories.'' Can any of you moms relate to that?

If you want to be a mother you must be able control your emotions when you walk to your child’s room in the darkness of night and step on a bunch of Legos that your little one left in your path. It’s not easy!

If you want to be a mother you will be required to work long hours – give up your personal space – be on call 24/7 – get very few hours of sleep – receive little thanks and enjoy it. It’s not easy!

Someone compared a mother to Moses – A leading figure in the Bible who never entered the land of promise. They said: “Every mother is like Moses. She does not enter the Promised Land. She only prepares a world she will not see”.

Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the famous French sculptor, gave 20 years of devotion and raised $4 million to complete the Statue of Liberty: For over 130 years this statue has towered above Bedloe Island near the entrance to New York harbor. It’s the great American symbol of freedom. The French nation gave the USA this statue, but finding a model for the sculptor became quite controversial. She had to be a woman whose features could reproduce liberty, freedom, respect, love, and acceptance. He examined dozen of outstanding heroes, but in the end he chose as the model - his own mother.

To the Faithful Mother

You put your child’s need above your own desires. When they call – you are there. You do not allow emotion to lead you because you know that love is a decision. We salute you !

To the Unfaithful Mother

God’s love for you is still available. He still wants to grace you with gifts and give you a new start. He will redesign the future for you and give you a mother’s heart. He will hear your prayers and touch your children. He welcomes you!

To the Grieving Mother

You have experienced great loss. Some have sent a child off to war and heard the news that he or she will not be coming home. Some have tasted the pain of losing a child to sickness, accidents and ultimately death.  We salute you!

To the Working Mother

You are seeking to meet a need. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed and your willingness to provide a quality home is much appreciated. We salute you !

To the single moms – the never married moms – the foster moms – the moms of adoption – the military moms – the grandmothers who fill a void and all other moms – The challenge is great and the road is long but God will meet your needs. You are not alone! We salute you!

This weekend we pause to say: Thank You! We value you! We honor you – We are stronger and better people because of you!