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Luke 1-2 (selected) * As I like to do traditionally, if you’re sitting next to your mother, lean over and apologize to her right now…and don’t act like you don’t know why! (Moms, say to your children: “You owe me!”) (husbands, lean over and apologize…simply because it’s a good habit to get into!) * The Bible represents the concept of “collective responsibility”…one person’s sin was a reflection on the entire group (tribe, family, etc.). So, let me stand on behalf of sons and daughters everywhere, mom, and say “I’m sorry!” 2006 TRENDS: ● 88% of respondents intend to give their mothers a gift this Mother's Day”. ● Consumers plan to spend
more than $100 on average on Mother’s Day activities. “How’d you do?” * I have yet to meet a mother who felt as if she was doing a good job with her kids. You’re constantly being compared to the other ‘soccer moms’ and critiqued by your own mother or mother-in-law. *I think that people’s decisions to have children is of greater significance than they could have ever imagined (for some, part of the natural progression, for some, it was unplanned, etc.) But upon the notification of conception, you officially became “mommy”! You were now entrusted with another human life and it would be partially your responsibility to ensure that your baby would become a healthy, well-integrated, functional adult…but there was no “mock-baby drill”. NO luxury of working out the details in a controlled environment; just the raw stuff of life! (And, when was the first time that you realized that you WERE your mother!?) * So, we look to measure ourselves against those parents who have been “less successful” than we have (i.e. Adam and Eve: our kids may not get along, but at least the one hasn’t coaxed the other out into the field and killed the other!) * I’m amazed at how much you are required to know… you have to be bi-lingual (English and gibberish!), athletic, skilled in everything from accidents to Algebra. And all the information you can retain (“Did you brush your teeth? Wash under your arms? What time is your recital?, etc.) Guys, we only had to learn one phrase, “God ask your m_________!” (mother) “What makes for a GOOD mom, anyway?” Your usually judged by the performance of your kids (kids are polite, well-mannered, consistently on the honor role, respectful of authority, etc.) * Moms, no matter how poorly you think you are doing, I applaud you for trying (I heard one mom describe it as “nine months of standing on the high dive, not quite certain of what she was about to dive into!”) I would like to share (4) perspectives about moms that I have discovered from the narratives of Luke about Jesus’ own mother, Mary (read Luke 1:26-38). Although I do not seek to venerate her, I think her role in Jesus’ life was much more substantial than we imagine. She wasn’t just a “baby incubator”, she was his mother! “How many of you moms think that if you had been chosen to be the mother of Jesus, he wouldn’t have turned out so well?” 1. The blessings (favor) of motherhood never eliminate the feelings of “confusion” and “disturbance” (Luke 1:29) “confused and disturbed”- How many of you would say that best summarizes my experience of motherhood? People who knew me when I was little say that my mom used to just sit and cry! (surprising to anyone?) “DO YOU REMEMBER THE BLESSED ANNOUNCEMENT?” (probably not “angelic”, maybe a “home EPT”). 1st time: “We’re gonna have a baby!” 2nd time: “I’m gonna get fat again!” * You have to understand, that for Mary, the expectation level is set pretty high from the start… (vs.31-32 “He will be great… and he will reign over Israel”) “How about if He’s mediocre and can hold down a good job?! The blessing (favor) is often disguised by some pretty disturbing and confusing life-episodes. * The “blessing’ (favor) is really to be found in the declaration that “God was with her”. She realizes that with all the responsibility associated with her role, she wasn’t totally responsible! That there would be only so much that she could do and she would never be able to do enough! 2. Motherhood involves accepting the role of a “servant” (Luke 1:38). “I am your servant…” (Mary doesn’t understand the implications of that statement!) * Notice that “prayer”-cry for help from God- was her immediate response to the news! * I’m sure it didn’t take long for you to realize that you were no longer in control (at least for the next several months). That you could be so manipulated by such a tiny infant that can only ‘poop’ and ‘drool’. “Nothing will be impossible with God” (1:37) This is your verse, moms! (interesting that it’s offered in the context of parenthood!) 3. Mothers learn to make sacrifices for their children (Luke 2:21-24) * Her role as a godly mother was two-fold: 1) presenting her child to God, 2) presenting God to her child. * Moms, you learn quickly that your life is not your own. That you must guard yourself in order to preserve the well-being of this growing child conceived and developing in her womb (characterized by increasing frequency of doctor’s visits, careful diet and limited activity). * Contrary to popular belief,… Moms have no “innate” quality that attracts them to VOMIT or POOPY DIAPERS! No basic urge that gives them an “affinity” for WIPING RUNNY NOSES WITH THEIR BARE HANDS! Seems to be that… Some women, from childhood, KNEW they wanted to be a mom. They would say that it “comes naturally” (one prerequisite trait… “oblivious to everything that goes on around them which poses no threat to their children!) Some women, from childhood, KNEW THEY DIDN’T WANT CHILDREN. “Undecided”- largest segment of the motherhood population (While you and your husband were still debating…). 4. The pain of childbirth lasts a “lifetime” (Luke 2:34). You watch as your kids develop and begin to “grab” for things- smack their hands and teach them lessons. Then, you watch as your children get older and begin to “grab” for things in life which are certain to cause harm and detriment; YOU CAN’T STOP THEM! IT “PIERCES YOUR HEART!” Then follow the condemnations… and often you, as Mary, “ponder things in your heart”… “Where did I go wrong?” (did I breast feed too long? Should have had them on a schedule!) “What more could I have done?” * Your often left with THEIR hurt, and YOUR hurt… and YOUR HURT FOR THEM! But, God is the perfect “role-model” for IMPERFECT PARENTS… Ps 103:13-1413 As a father is kind to his children, so the LORD is kind to those who honor him. 14 He knows what we are made of; he remembers that we are dust. Isaiah 1:2-32 The LORD said,… The children I brought up have rebelled against me. 3 Cattle know who owns them, and donkeys know where their master feeds them. But that is more than my people Israel know. They don't understand at all.” Luke 2:41-52 (read) I would like to imagine that Jesus got into at least “a little” mischief or trouble when he was a boy… if he is going to really “sympathize” with me! v.48 “Son!” (love the exclamation point) Would you feel better about yourself if you knew that just once Mary “lost it” with Jesus?! “They didn’t understand what he meant” (classic exchange between parent and pre-teen child). “Don’t tell me to lower my voice, young man! You may be the Messiah, but I’m still your ____________!” * I learned the hard way that moms are willing to forfeit (cast to the wind) their own dignity and reputation and risk personal humiliation (usually ours, not theirs!) in order to make this point to their kids. (i.e. camp, mom in bathrobe and toilet paper on head). * I’ve also discovered that the only thing that’s been tougher than dealing with her ‘presence’ has been dealing with her ‘absence’! MOMS, YOUR CHILDREN WILL NEVER LOVE YOU AS MUCH AS YOU LOVE THEM… (take comfort) GOD LOVES YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER LOVE HIM, TOO!
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