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Women have strengths that amaze men. They bear hardships and
they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy. They smile when they want to scream. They sing when
they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. They fight for what they
believe in. They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no for an answer when they believe there is a better solution. They go without so their family
can have. They love unconditionally. They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. They cry when their children
excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding. Their hearts
break when a friend dies. They grive at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no
strength left. They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart. Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run, or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is
what makes the world keep turning. They bring joy, hope and love. They have compassion and ideas. They give
moral support to their family and friends. Women have vital things to say and everything to give. However, if
there is one flaw in women, it is that they forget their worth. !!! Happy MOTHER'S DAY to Women Everywhere !! Devotional: . Question:
"What does the Bible say about being a mother?"
Answer: Being a mother is a very important role that the Lord chooses to give many women. Mothers are told to love their children in Titus 2: 4-5 which says, "Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the Word of God." In Isaiah 49:15a the Bible says, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?" When does motherhood begin? Children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5). In Titus 2:4, the Greek word “phileoteknos” appears. This word represents a special kind of “mother-love”. The idea that flows out of this word is that of “preferring” our children, “caring” for them, “nurturing” them, “affectionately embracing” them, “meeting their needs,” “tenderly befriending” each one as unique from the hand of God. We are commanded in the Scripture to see “mother-love,” as our responsibility. Both mothers and fathers are commanded to do several things in the Word: Availability – morning, noon, and night (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) Involvement – interacting, discussing, thinking and processing life together (Ephesians 6:4) Teaching – the Scriptures, a biblical world-view (Psalm 78:5-6, Deuteronomy 4:10, Ephesians 6:4) Training – helping a child develop skills and discover his strengths (Proverbs 22:6) Discipline – teaching the fear of the Lord, drawing the line consistently, lovingly, firmly (Ephesians 6:4, Hebrews 12:5-11, Proverbs 13:24, 19:18, 22:15, 23:13-14, 29:15-17) Nurture – providing an environment of constant verbal support, freedom to fail, acceptance, affection, unconditional love, (Titus 2:4, 2 Timothy 1:7, Ephesians 4:29-32, 5:1-2, Galatians 5:22, 1 Peter 3:8-9) Modeling with Integrity – living what you say, being a model by which a child can learn by “catching” the essence of godly living (Deuteronomy 4:9, 15, 23; Proverbs 10:9, 11:3; Psalm 37:18, 37). The Bible never commands that every woman should be a mother. However, it does say that those whom the Lord blesses to be mothers should take the responsibility seriously. Mothers have a unique and crucially important role in the lives of their children. Motherhood is not a chore or unpleasant task. Just as a mother bears a child during pregnancy, and just as a mother feeds and cares for a child during infancy – so mothers also play an ongoing role in the lives of their children, teenagers, young adults, and even fully-grown children. While the role of motherhood must change and develop – the love, care, nurture, and encouragement a mother gives should never cease. . Meditation:
Father God, thank you so much for your love and your mercy and for the blessings that you bestow upon us each and every day of our lives. I thank you for the Christian heritiage that has been such a part of my family, Lord, from my grandparents on down to the current generation. And, Father, I thank you for the precious gift of my mother, for her love, and for the wonderful lessons she has taught me, both as a child and even now as an adult. I thank you that you have also allowed me the privilege of being a mother not only to my own children, but also to those who I have been fortunate to help raise and mentor. Father, I pray that each and every day I can instruct my children and grandchildren in the ways of the Lord, not only in word, but through my actions, and that I may always be a guiding influence in their lives. Father we know that being a mother isn't always an easy role to fill, and I pray that you will be with mothers everywhere Lord, that you will give them peace in the midst of their storms, and joy in knowing that they truly do make a diference in the lives of not only their own children, but all those with whom they come in contact. Being a mother is such an awesome responsibility, and Lord I recognize that little eyes are watching everything I say and do. Father I pray that my words will always be sweet and filled with kindness; but more importantly I pray they will be covered with your love, and that my actions will always show your light shining within me. And, Lord, I pray that as I extend my heart to to my children, and others, that they will ultimately find YOUR heart, and be closer drawn to you. In thy holy name I pray. Amen . Stories to Touch the Heart and Warm the Soul:
On Being a Mother ~ Author Unknown ~ After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out
to dinner and a movie. She said, "I love you, but I know this other woman loves you, too, and would love to spend
some time with you." The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my Mother, who has been a widow
for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.
That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.
"What's wrong, are you well", she asked? My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. "I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you", I responded "just the two of us". She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "I would like that very much". That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as elegant as angel's. "I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed", she said as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hear about or meeting." We went to a restaurant that, althought not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. Afer we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half-way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mother sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. "It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small", she said. "Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor", I responded. During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation, nothing extraordinary, but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you". I agreed. "How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home. "Very nice, much more so than I could have imagined", I answered. A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place Mother and I had dined. An attached note said, "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates, - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you son." At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: "I love you", and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than our family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off until "some other time". Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby. That
somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, "normal" is history.
Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first. That somebody doesn't have two or more children. Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery. That somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarden, or on a plane headed for military "boot camp". Somebody said a Mother can stop worrying after her child gets married. That somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a Mother's heartstrings. Somebody said a Mother's job is done when her last child leaves home. That somebody has never had grandchildren. Somebody said your Mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her. That somebody isn't a Mother. This isn't just about being a Mother; it's about appreciating the people in your lives while you have them, no matter who that person is. "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of a battle". The
Piano Lesson ~ Author Unknown ~ Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her. Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE." When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was mesmerized. That's the way it is with our Heavenly Father. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't exactly graceful, flowing music. But with the hand of the Master, our life's work truly can be beautiful. Next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You can hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Feel His loving arms around you. Know that His strong hands are there helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. And He'll always be there to love and guide you on to great things. |