Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.  John 19:25-27

This morning we want to look at 2 aspects of the family. First, being the parent – especially the mom, and secondly, being the child. As you know, parenthood is a wonderful joy and opportunity to serve God and the family. 

It is also an opportunity to be stressed out of your socks at times! I suspect that many mothers have wondered, “IS IT WORTH IT?”

Society expects us to answer the question with a resounding “yes!” But the truth is, it's a tough job. It costs a lot of money to raise a child – about $270,000. Parenting is a serious commitment.

There are other costs – sleep, pressures on the marriage, and at times, our sanity. (Just kidding) So we look into God’s word to see what He expects of us.

Time does not allow us to do a complete study this morning, so suffice it to say that the scriptures teach us to “bring up a child in the way he (and she) should go.” Proverbs teaches us how to discipline our children, and the Ten Commandments teach us to honor our mother and father.

Today’s text shows the compassion of Jesus for His mother. The scriptures are silent on what happened to Joseph, who was Jesus’ step dad. However, scholars assume that he died before Jesus entered the ministry. Probably Jesus had taken over the family business.

As the oldest child, Jesus was responsible for His mother’s care after Joseph’s death. This was no small responsibility because they did not have the social systems in place that we have today. There was no Social Security, retirement, Assisted Living Centers or nursing homes.

I wondered why the other children didn’t accept this responsibility. We know from John’s writings that he and Jesus were close personal friends. We also know that Jesus’ siblings were unbelievers at the time of His death. Also, they may have not had the financial resources necessary to help her.

As Jesus hung on the cross John was standing close to Mary, comforting her. Jesus said to His mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

What is it like to be a mother today?  Although I had a mother and live with a mother, I am not one.  So I did some research among my coworkers. It was a very interesting conversation.

They said, “Please tell them than no mother is perfect! We just do the best we can do – we are only human, you know.”

They felt that mothering was as much an attitude or approach to life. They also noted that you do not have to have children to be a mother. Mothering to them is the desire to care for, nurture and teach children. They also believed that some biological parents do not have the necessary gifts to parent, so they need help!

It is always a temptation for the minister to either paint a perfect picture of motherhood – the old “Apple Pie, American Flag” presentation – or to set the standard so high that no one can reach it. So this morning we will take a brief look at how circumstances affect motherhood.

The different aspects of motherhood:

1. The little girl mothering her dolls.

2. The teenager or young adult struggling between a career and motherhood.

3. The mother of a small child (children).

4. The mother whose children have grown up and left the nest.

5. The single mother.

6. The mother whose child has died – miscarriage, newborn, or later in life.

7. The mother whose children will not have anything to do with her.

8. The homeless mother.

9. The mother that cannot meet the basic needs of her children due to finances or her own poor health.

10. The mother of the child with physical or mental problems.

11. The mother that adopts a child.

12. Foster mothers.

13. The healthy older mother.

14. The helpless older mother.

The bottom line is this. If you have a mother that loves and cares for you, you are tremendously blessed.

Mothers often have to work very hard:

Grandma, on a winter's day, milked the cows and fed them hay, hitched the mule, drove kids to school...did a washing, mopped the floors, washed the windows and did some chores...Cooked a dish of home-dried fruit, pressed her husband's Sunday suit...swept the parlor, made the bed, baked a dozen loaves of bread...split some firewood and lugged it in, enough to fill the kitchen bin...Cleaned the lamps and put in oil, stewed some apples before they spoiled...churned the butter, baked a cake, then exclaimed, "For goodness sake!" when the calves ran from the pen, and chased them all back in again...Gathered eggs and locked the stable, back to the house and set the table...cooked a supper that was delicious, then washed and dried all dirty dishes...fed the cat and sprinkled clothes, mended a basketful of hose...then opened the organ and began to play: "When You Come to the End of a Perfect Day..."  Reminisce, premiere issue, 1991, pp. 46-7.

If all of that was true, you have to wonder what in the world Grandpa was doing!

The Truest Friend

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. Washington Irving (1783-1859)

Is it worth it to be a mother?

The mother of three notoriously unruly youngsters was asked whether or not she'd have children if she had it to do over again.  She replied "Yes, but not the same ones!" David Finkelstein, Reader's Digest.

Is it worth it to be a mother?  I think so… after all, how else can you be a grandmother?

Obviously being a mother is a high and holy calling.  Someone has well said that God creates children – all the parents do is determine the date of conception.

It appears to me that being a mom requires on-the-job training, and the job comes with a lot of free advice.  When people advise you, assume that their intentions are good – and remember that someday you will be the one passing out the free advice!

Now dads, we have our own responsibilities to support the mom in her many tasks.  Yes, you can help with diapers and housework!  It won’t kill you.

Finally:

As your mother ages, she will have increased needs and may have decreased ways to meet those needs. This is where the children have to step up to the plate and fulfill their responsibilities. Some of us have already been there, so if you need any insights do not hesitate to ask!

In today’s scripture Jesus was making preparations for His mother’s future. Please note that He did not supernaturally give her a vast amount of money – He was truly Man and He accepted those limitations.

So He chose a trusted friend and that trusted friend fulfilled the request.

In closing, please examine your heart and attitudes. Are you being a responsible, loving parent?  Are you a child that is loving and easy to be around?  And if you are older are you being easy to live with, avoiding placing guilt trips on your children?

Sincerely, Pastor Leon

May 11, 2008