I loved my mom, she truly was a wonderful person. Many of the core values I hold today had their foundation in what she taught and lived. To love God and know He loved me. The wealth of knowledge gained in reading the bible, and the immeasurable value in a consistent prayer life. The commitment to family and legitimately, often sacrificially, caring for others outside of the family. But, mom wasn’t perfect. She had her idiosyncrasies, she made mistakes, she was human!
Often motherhood is exalted to such a high level, described with embellishment and hyperbole, that it establishes an impossible standard for moms to live up to. Take a look at some of the quotes I found and my observations:
“The future of society is in the hands of the mothers...she alone can save it.”
(save society? They're too busy keeping the 2-year old from sticking something in the receptacle and electrocuting themselves)
"Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children."
(but mom when was the last time your teenager worshiped you)
"Men are what their mothers made them."
(I know some good moms whose kid made bad choices, sometimes free will stinks)
"Motherhood: All love begins and ends there."
(really, really? Mom your not in this alone)
“God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers”.
(actually, the opposite is true, mom trust God to go where you can’t)
Here are a few quotes I find to be more realistic:
"Motherhood is the greatest thing and the hardest thing."
Ricki Lake
"You don't take a class; you're thrown into motherhood and learn from experience."
Jennie Finch
"If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?"
Milton Berle
Moms thank you and give yourself a break. You have or will make mistakes, you will get tired and probably frustrated, you are not perfect. But there is a God who is. Lean on Him, , draw strength from his promises, and follow the advice of the apostle Peter “cast your cares upon him, for he cares for you”. And he cares for your kids too.
Happy Mothers Day,
Pastor Steve
Proverbs 23:25 So give your father and mother joy! May she who gave you birth be happy.
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