Love Yo Mama!

A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother. Proverbs 29:15

Not everyone was raised in a traditional loving ‘mom and dad’ home and may have tremendous pain thinking about celebration of this holiday of Mother’s Day but it is a day set aside to honor your mother. Part of the job of raising those gifts God blessed you with is disciplining them.

Today’s verse says it all. Some versions even say the word “shame” instead of disgrace. Wow that is tough. So many times parents let the child make the decisions but that is not the way God designed it. There has to be someone to enforce the rules and every home should have rules to play by. Discipline is part of the way the world runs.

And finally there is the “leave and cleave” part when a son or daughter marries their allegiance is to be to their spouse not tied to mommy or daddy anymore or real trouble can ensue. Motherhood is an awesome responsibility and one that can make the difference for good or bad in society. Fatherhood is a major part too and each is needed to run the family as God intended.

PRAYER:I am grateful I was born and am thankful for my mom who raised me. I pray for those who may be having immense pain on this day due to fractured homes or relationships. I pray for healing and forgiveness where that is needed. I also lift up moms of little ones to realize their job is the most important one in the world! I pray for those grieving because their mom is no longer on this Earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mommy's Are Super!!

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

Most of the stories we hear of Mother's Day are wonderful happy stories of how much people love their moms. There are those individuals out there who this day is difficult for,  for a variety of reasons. Maybe their mom just died and this is the first Mother's Day without her. Perhaps their is bitterness over rejection by a mother. An Abortive mother may have deep wounds. Some who are adopted often times wonder why their mom 'didn't like them and keep them'. Not all families are like the 1950's TV Ozzie And Harriet scenario.

But those families who are blessed to have their moms and have warm fuzzy feelings this is a great day. Motherhood is challenging from birth even through adulthood. Many lessons to learn and keep learning. All these different stages to pass through and hopefully come out with flying colors. Oh for the love of hearing from your children how much they love you and appreciate all you did for them growing up. For those who do, it is heart warming.

Take time today if your mom is alive to call her if she is far away. Visit her if she is near. Above all tell her thank you for all the things she did to get you where you are today. Children indeed are a gift and moms and dads are super gifts. 

PRAYER: I thank you for my mom and for giving me birth. I thank you for where I am because of her. I ask you to bless my mom today and let her feel your presence. I ask you comfort those whose moms have passed away. In Jesus' name. Amen.

MOM WE LOVE YOU

 Mother's Day is either a happy occasion or one of sadness. For those who recently lost their moms it can be an emotional time. Even if your mom died several years ago this holiday may be hard to celebrate. It can also be very difficult for those who have either suffered a miscarriage, lost custody of a child due to divorce, had an abortion they regret, had an infant or a child die. Maybe you had an abusive parent and were raised in foster care and that too makes it a hard day to celebrate.

If your mom is still alive celebrate her today. Your mom or your children may be hundreds of miles away but still pick up that phone and call her. Send her flowers. Try to stop if you can and think of all the things she did for you growing up to help you get to where you are today. If your memories are not so glorious try forgiveness and restoration even if she has passed away. Do not let a grudge or hurt fester. Some children forget their moms and this should not happen.

If you harbor resentment towards a mom or even a mother in law or never really had a very good relation with them now is the time to pray for God to help you forgive and not hate. There is a verse in Joel 2:25 which basically says 'I will restore the years the locust has eaten'. After all if it were not for biological moms we all would not be here. If you are adopted just remember you are very special too. Your mom and dad may not have been able to have children but they hand picked you. You are special!

Did you know on this special day there are also moms in prisons across our country? It is true. Try to imagine these women and their children trying to celebrate this day. When Mother's Day comes we often do not think of moms in prison or if we do sometimes do not have compassion for them since they are a criminal. That is not the attitude Jesus wants out of us.

Think of the jobs moms do: counselor, maid services, laundry, short order cook, tutor, finance officer, nurse, motor pool dispatcher, creative artist, proof reader, maintenance, social coordinator, spiritual advisor, mediator, and much much more. You can probably add to this list. Today if you are a man reading this who is married be sure to honor your wife. If your own mothers are still alive do something special for her as well. If you harbor hard feeling ask God to mend your heart and allow you to forgive.

If you are a mom reading this thank the Lord for allowing you the awesome privilege of bringing children into the world. Our jobs as moms ends basically at adulthood but we will always be a mom. Thank the Lord for helping you do the best for your children. If a child has "issues" do not beat yourself up and make Satan believe you messed up somewhere but thank him that you know your child will be okay and that he or she is a gift from God above. Psalm 127:3(NIV) says 'Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him." I like that word picture. They are a REWARD!! We are blessed!

Today take time to celebrate and give thanks for moms everywhere!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you for this Mother's Day. Help me never forget the awesome things my mom has done for me. In Jesus name. Amen! (If your are a mom or dad add the following...And thank you Lord for my children!)

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY WORLD!

Today we celebrate Mothers! Some of us, like yours truly, are blessed to still have a living mother. Moms are special and important first of all because of the obvious. They gave us life. Without that we would not be here. Mothers should be honored and respected each day of the year and not just wait till this special holiday to celebrate them.

The most special of all mothers mentioned in the Bible of course is Mary the mother of Jesus. Imagine back in her day being pregnant and unmarried and how the townspeople probably gossiped. Sure we know she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit but the people probably said "Yeah right Mary!" Even today some probably can tend to turn up their noses at those pregnant and unmarried but God can restore and redeem and it is a good thing that life is being carried and not aborted. Marriage of course is the way God intended for children to be raised with a mom and a dad but regardless, each child is a tremendous gift from God who has a special purpose.(See Psalm 139).

Mothers out there your role is a very special one. You get to 'raise leaders for the future' I used to say when someone maybe mocked me for staying home instead of 'using my degree'. My husband honored me with my own 'Stay Home Mom' business card so when asked what I did to stay busy or did I work I could give my card to them. He even wrote me a job description of all the duties I performed and the list was quite extensive and included such things as social coordinator, cook, laundress, business manager, physical trainer, etc. Men out there whose wives have chosen the honorable profession of being at home why not get your wife her own business card?

In addition several years later since I was a military veteran he got together with another of our military couple friends and had a 'mock awards' ceremony where he presented me with a homemade 'Legion of Service' award complete with 'military orders' .  It was so cool. Sometimes when we give up a second income and we choose to stay home and see career women out there who look like their lives are so much more fun,fulfilling, and glamorous, we made need a boost of esteem to keep us going.

Now I am not putting down career women here, as some are probably reading this right now, but I am saying for me this was the best decision I did and I  had the full support of my husband to be a total stay home mom for several years. That does not mean every thing turns out perfect but you are there for them instead of  a stranger. It is pretty important in my humble opinion.

 So take today to say thanks to your mom for all her sacrifices for you and all the things she did to get you where you are today. Some are not fortunate to have moms. Many are from broken homes, they maybe were unwanted and abused, or perhaps their mom is deceased, so if yours is around do something special for her. Another very sad scenario on this day are the moms who have had children die way too young and  I know several. My heart goes out to you and pray God will bring you comfort as only he can.

"Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long upon the earth the Lord thy God has given you." ( Exodus 20:12).  If your mom has hurt you forgive her even if she is not around. You can not have true peace and fellowship with God until you do this.

PRAYER: Thank you for the gift of motherhood. Thank you for our mothers Lord. Comfort those who have never been able to have children and be with those who have lost children. Help we mothers of adults learn to let go and be quiet. Give wisdom to mothers of all ages.  In Jesus name. Amen.