We have come to the fourth Sunday in Lent which is traditionally known as ‘Mothering Sunday’, the day we remember with love our mothers.  We dedicate this service to them, for we will all have fond memories of our mothers, even thouh many years have passed on.

This tradition originated in the 17th century when most of population would the attend Church, usually to the Church at which they had been baptised.  Often whole villages, would have processions to the Church with banners, the servants of large houses would be allowed time to attend.  

In the United States, President Woodrow Wilson passed an Act of Congress in May 1914, decreeing that the second Sunday in May should be known as ‘Mothers Day,’ in order that love and reverence for mothers could be shown.   Retailers and non- Church members, in this country have adopted that title rather than the English understanding of the religious significance, which makes it special. 

This day, also gives us the opportunity to remember Mary the MOTHER of Jesus, and think of how our Lord honoured motherhood, even by showing concern for His mother when dying on the Cross.

The foundation for every home, is a father, mother (of different sexes) and children. In our time, the home and family are under sustained attack.  The breakdown of  family life is influenced and reflected in the breakdown of the nation’s morality.  It is now unrealistic to expect marriage to be for life but rather until we get fed up with each other.

We are now no longer be expected to use the term husband and wife, and another name for mother has been decreed by the diversity ideolouges. Since  the time of creation, women have treasured the name ‘mother’ and was so revered in Jewish people, that a woman who could not have a child was seen as looked down on.

 A mother’s presence in the home is essential, and there has never been a more urgent time when good mothers are needed.  I have never known a Jewish child get involved in anti-social behaviour or criminal activities, and that is due to the control the Jewish mama has over her family. 

God intended motherhood to be of the highest calling, yet government is advocating children can be brought up by two men, which is irresponsibility of the highest order.  An American psychologist ,stated a child will never come to full development psychologically without a mother in the home.  In an older generation, a woman would not go to work when her children were in infancy, now we see even babies being left in nurseries with strangers to care for them.  I realise it is a different economic and social climate, but children’s development has not changed. 

When God created man, He then created woman to be a partner, the greatest gift He could give to men, and their nature was different so they could have children.

respected. 

When God created the world, He made man and He made woman, and gave each different characters, equal but different, to fulfil different functions in life, and for women He gave a more caring nature in order to be mothers.   Abraham Lincoln once remarked that no nation is greater than its mothers, for they are the makers of men   

An article in a newspaper once said, that women were leaving Christianity for Islam because of the greater moral code.  Without denigrating the strict Islamic moral code, it is also a fact that no religion has greater respect for women than Christianity, and the Christian code is as moral as any, it is just Christians do not adopt it. 

The emancipation of women began with Christianity 2000 years ago, when Mary received a message from an angel and was told she would be the only woman ever to wear the red rose of maternity with the white rose of virginity, and be the mother of the Saviour of the world.  When her Son grew up, He gave women a new place in human relations, with a dignity that wherever Christianity has gone, women have been there.

Female politicians, especially in  modern government,  have tried to turn this upside down, and in the false name of equality, have made some women to adopt the worst practices of men.  For 2000 years, women had in many respects been superior to men,  but in  the cause of equality and feminism, have adopted the worst vices of men.   

The Bible calls on older women, who have an honoured place in society, to play a major part in guiding younger women in the bringing up of children, from their years of experience.  We must have concern for women, bringing up children in a world where all moral values are being eroded.  Theirs is a big responsibility, especially when the nation’s broadcasting system gives out such foul talk ,and explicit scenes that cause weaker minds to think that is the natural way of life.

,We need women who will lead their families back, to more old style morality decency and purity.  Children are being brought up without any religious knowledge, knowing nothing about Jesus or Biblical characters, even in the homes of whatever class of home.  An idealism prevails as to how children should behave, but it is often a source of admiration and being in  modern phraseology ‘cool’ for a child to be sexually aware.  Schools play little part in educating children in religion, or conduct unless the school is a private one.

Spiritual matters should be of concern to mothers.  Promises are made at baptism services, that children will be brought up in the fellowship of the Church, although few have ever any intention of honouring the promises made.  When my two sons were growing up, my then occupation required me to be away from the home for many long hours, and so much care fell upon my wife.  It is to her credit that they both entered the Christian ministry, after being youth leaders at their local Church.  Today they are successful Vicars at Churches of their own, where they have been a powerful influence in the Churches they have served. 

I would encourage every mother to teach their children the stories of Jesus, and other stories from the Bible, it will give them a sure foundation for life.  To bear a child is a costly and sometimes very painful act, calling for endurance sometimes beyond the mother herself.  Mothering Sunday calls on us to remember it is the giving of oneself. 

Mothers continue to care and worry for their children even when they reach adulthood.  We have numerous examples of godly mothers in the Bible, as an example for us to follow such as the mother of James and John who sought favour for them from Jesus, Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth Salome, and of course above all, Mary the mother of Jesus.

Women have been asked on radio and television what their occupation was , and have replied, ‘only a housewife and mother’.  There is nothing to justify the word ‘only’, such is one of the most honourable and worthy occupations.

 May God richly bless all mothers.

But, do not let us forget there are mothers who are not appreciated and whose children  have made life difficult.

 

We must also remember the many women who will not be mothers. For some it will be a choice not to have children, for their own personal reasons, and we must not forget or criticise. W should on this most happy day for mothers, we must offer prayers  for those who cannot physically have children, and ask that God in His mercy and grace will answer their desires.

The Bible gives examples of women who displayed   utter devotion to the children they bore, and who became such great names in Jewish history. For those who have not been told or who have forgotten, I give a brief story of three loving devoted MOTHERS

The MOTHER of Moses, is a wonderful and emotional story, that is still being told after thousands of years, and would be dishonoured if the language of these modern misguided people would be changed, to ‘birth parent’ . There was a death sentence on all male Jewish children born, so His MOTHER had

to hide him, then place him in  a basket and leave him in a stream, with the hope of someone not Jewish, who would find  and care for him. A princess did so, and took him to her home. The loving MOTHER acted as a Carer, and raised  him without the love of knowing who she really was.(Exodus 2.

Hannah was a woman tormented, because she could not bear being unable to have a child, and thereby feeling disgraced. She prayed fervently to God, and was granted a son named Samuel.

The Lord Jesus dying in agony on the Cross, called for the Apostle John to look after and care for his MOTHER

(John 19v26)

 

I have referred to three MOTHERS of the Bible who faced terrible situations in caring for their. I would be pleased to think that mothers and children will read the full children stories of their problems in the Bible.

May God bless all mothers, and in His grace and mercy, help those women so longing to be mothers