Message 6 May 2016
Mothers # Unsung Heroes
When Jesus saw His
mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman,
here is your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” So from
that hour, this disciple took her into his home. - John 19:26-27
Mothers are the most
unsung heroes of the world. Their work is not officially classified as an
occupation yet it’s the most important work happening. No one is able to pay
for what they do. Your mother carried you in her womb for nine months. When you
came out she received you and cuddled you. She nursed you, fed you, changed
your nappies/diapers, wiped food off your mouth. She was there for you and
wiped tears off your cheeks and nose. She cleaned up your space, bathed you and
potty trained you. She rose up odd times of night to tend to you. With one eye
and ear on you she fulfilled her daily
tasks. She cooked her best meals and washed dishes and clothes for you. She prepared
your lunch box, and assisted you with homework. She sang and read you stories.
She bought you nice things celebrated you and your birthdays. She believed in
you and was always there for you. She washed, mended and ironed your stuff.
Often she had to do this on top of a full time job. How many eyes, hands and
roles do mothers have? They are simply amazing.
The Lord Jesus in the midst of his most intense pain and
suffering and impending crucifixion took time for his mother. He left an
indelible model of the importance and priority of loving and caring about the
welfare of one’s mother. Despite the agony he assigned John to look after his
mother and asked his mother to receive John as her son. Of the Apostles John
lived the longest. He must have had ample opportunity to care for Mary and must
have done it well.
Mothers are gifted to
carry the load only them can carry. ‘And
Moses said unto the Lord , Why have you afflicted your servant? and I have not
found favor in your sight, that you lay
the burden of all this people on me?
Have I conceived all these people? have I given birth to them, that you
should say to me, Carry them in your
bosom, as a nursing father bears the sucking child, to the land which you swore
to their fathers? (Numbers 11:11-12)’
Moses compared the burden of caring for six million
constantly murmuring people to the challenge of a nursing father left to care
for a sucking child. The situation was even worse those days - they had no milk
formulas. The baby would cry and the father would try singing, throwing them in air, moving
around etc. but nothing would work. Having such a nurse was also a nightmare
for the child. Yet a mother can carry them in her bosom leaving smiles on the
face.
Mothers are strong.
Don’t mistake their tenderness for lack of toughness. When the going gets tough
in the home mothers face the brunt of how the most can be done with the barest
resources. Even when some men desert their families mothers are more likely to
stick it out. Humanitarian organisations have a bias to supporting women with
income generation ideas and capital because when the mothers succeed the
chances are highest for the benefit to flow into the whole family. There is discussion about the possibility
that the flu man catch is different from the one women catch because when men
have a cold, exaggerate the symptoms. The discussion is so serious that some
are investigating if there is a scientific basis.
Mothers love
selflessly. Mothers are not just women who gave birth but those who commit
to the nurturing and well being of their children. A story I read, the teacher
asked the class to state their answer as a fraction: If there’s 10 at the table and one apple pie,
how much does each one get? To her
disappointment the answer she got was one ninth. One kid said “Do you know my
mother? If there’s that many at the
table and only one pie, she will have none”
Mothers are so loving they will not spend on themselves unless all the
children’s needs are met
God uses mothers.
Eunice and Lois laid the foundation of faith in Timothy. ‘I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother
Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.’ 2 Timothy
1:5. They have the best of wishes for their children. They inspire lifelong
foundation of godly principles in the children they carry, pray and care for when they
are helpless and see them as the only hero they know – with the father of
course.
Mothers are not
perfect. Though a mother is the person you go to when looking for someone
who will always be on your side and really listen and understand. She is not
perfect. Mothers are a type of the care and love God has. When she comes short God has promised to be
with you.
‘When my father and my mother forsake me, then
the Lord will take me up (Psalm 27:10)’
Can a woman forget her
nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may
forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of
my hands; Your walls are continually before Me.… (Isaiah 48:15-16).
But we were gentle
among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we
were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also
our own souls, because ye were dear unto us (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8).
Honor your Mother.
Overcome the tendency to be more kind, and considerate with your friends, your
boss and everyone else. Love and take care of your mother. Tell her how much
you love her. Honoring your mother come with a promise. Honor your
father and mother so that your days may be long upon the land which the
Lord has given you and that it may go well with you. (Deuteronomy 5:16)
Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.
Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith
Life Center.
First Floor Dhando House,
66 Eloff Street Extension,
Village Deep,
Johannesburg,
South Africa
No comments:
Post a Comment