Mothers

Mothers

By W.H. Wood prepared on May 8, 1936 for Mother’s day at Salem.

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.  She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.  She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.  She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.  She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.  She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.  She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.  She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.  She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.  She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.  She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.  Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.  Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:10-31

Our nation will never be greater than our mothers.

What Christian mothers are doing:

“Working willingly with their hands.

 “She riseth while it is night”, to give aid to her household.

She works in farms.

She forces herself many times to produce strength in behalf of her love ones.

"She layeth her hands to the spindle.”

She always offers assistance to the poor and needy.

“She is not afraid of the snow”, she continues to labor for her household.

What Christian mothers say:

  She opens her mouth and gives wisdom.  

  In her tongue is the law of kindness.

  Her words are consoling, inspiring, informing, encouraging, and loving. 

  She is capable of giving advice.  She does not advise wrong. She giveth wisdom.

What Christian mothers see:

She sees the good things in her children.

Her candle goeth not out at night.

Her heart is broken if she is forced to see sin in our lives.

The rewards of Christian motherhood:

 Her children will rise up and call her blessed.

 Her husband will also praise her.

 Her community and nation will honor her.

 The excellence of motherhood is the greatest honor. 

Abraham Lincoln said, “All that I am, or expect to be, I owe to my angel mother.”

John Quincy Adams said, “All that I am my mother made me.”

Napoleon said, “Let France have good mothers and she will have good sons.”

M         Melodies that mother often sings.  I love her sweet voiced music, for a sense of peace it brings.

O         Ovation that we give to mother today.  Many sons and daughters respond to the tribute we pay to mother on this Mother’s day.

T          Token that today with pride we wear to show our deepest gratitude for mother’s love and care.

H         Hands that guide us when we stray, that toil for us unceasingly and sooth our trouble away.

E          Eyes whose tender lights express the constant and unchanging love that the heart cannot express.

R         Refuge whose strength we early learn.  A shelter when we are troubled to which we often turn.