Dear Brothers and Sisters:
I praise the Lord, that as far as I know, none of our precious members have been afflicted by COVID 19, but we sure do keep Margaret and Dieter in our prayers as she is going through medical procedures.
This time, as Mother’s Day is soon coming upon us, I would like to focus on the great gift our Heavenly Father has given us in mothers. While no human is perfect, I can certainly attest to the unselfish love of my mother. I can also assure you that Elisabeth has made sacrifices in life, not just for my sake but for the sake of our daughter as well. It is right that we honor mothers at this time.
A little boy asked his mother which of the characters in "The Pilgrim's Progress" she liked best.
She replied, "Christian, of course; he is the hero of the whole story."
Her son said, "I don't, Mother. I like Christiana best, for when Christian went on his pilgrimage he started alone. But when Christiana went she took the children with her."
What a difference a godly mother makes! Littre, the great French scholar, was learned in human wisdom, but ignorant of God. Fortunately for his daughter, Littre's wife was a devoted Christian.
The great scholar told his wife:
"Bring up your daughter in the ways of religion and piety which you have always followed. When she is fifteen years of age you will bring her to me. I will then explain my views to her, and she can choose for herself."
The mother accepted the condition. Years rolled on, the fifteenth birthday came, and the mother entered the husband's study. "You remember what you said to me and what I promised," she said. "Your daughter is fifteen years old today. She is now ready to listen to you with all the respect and confidence due to the best of fathers. Shall I bring her in?"
"Why, certainly!" replied Littre. "But for what special reason? To explain to her my views! Oh, no, my dear; no, no. You have made of her a good, affectionate, simple, straightforward, bright, and happy creature. My ideas are good enough for me. Who can say that they would be good enough for her? Who can say that they would not destroy, or at least damage, your work? Bring her in, so that I may bless you in her presence for all you have done for her, and that she may love you more than ever."
The Bible honors mothers. In the Book of Proverbs, we find in Chapter 31, seven powerful characteristics for measuring motherhood.
1. She seeks always the good of her husband which develops his trust in her. See Proverbs 31:10-13.
2. She is industrious and, therefore, has no time to be a busybody. See Proverbs 31:13-15, 19, 21-24.
3. She is constantly looking after the welfare of her family. See Proverbs 31:27.
4. She has good judgment when it comes to the financial well-being of her family. See Proverbs 31:16-18.
5. She spends the time in ministering to the needs of those outside her own family. Proverbs 31:21.
6. She is honorable, wise and kind. See Proverbs 31:25-26.
7. She is one who firmly fears (reverences) the Lord. See Proverbs 31:30.
The Bible indicates that such a mother will be rewarded, for both her children and her husband will rise up and call her blessed. See Proverbs 31:28.
Love for his mother set S.F.B. Morse to invent the telegraph. He went to Europe to study the art of painting. He had scarcely arrived in Europe when he began to realize that it would be months before his first letter could reach his parents.
In a letter, he wrote to his Mother: "Three thousand miles are not passed over in an instant." Then he asked himself: "Why could they not be passed over in an instant?" Love for his mother set him to consider the idea of quick communication; and he worked on it, 'til at last he gave to the anxious mothers of the world the means of learning how their faraway children are.
Later, he sent out his first message over the wire: "What had God wrought!"
Someone asked a mother whose children had turned out very well the secret. Without hesitation she said:
"When in the morning I washed my children, I prayed that they might be cleansed by the Saviour's blood. When I put on their clothes, I pray they be arrayed in the garments of salvation and God's righteousness. When I give them food, I pray they might be fed with the Bread of Life. When I started them on the road to school...When I put them to sleep..."
We have talked very recently about the beauty of a good family life, but the famous historian Will Durant searched for happiness in study and learning. But he discovered that knowledge alone did not bring happiness.
He tried travel and found only weariness. He tried wealth and found only worry and discord. He sought to immerse himself in his writing but found only fatigue.
Then one day he noticed a woman sitting in a small car clasping a sleeping child in her arms. He watched while a man got off a train and came over and kissed the woman and baby gently, so as not to waken him. As he saw the family drive away together, Durant suddenly realized that what he had just seen was happiness.
And now, from inspired sources:
“The mother's work often seems to her an unimportant service. It is a work that is rarely appreciated. Others know little of her many cares and burdens. Her days are occupied with a round of little duties, all calling for patient effort, for self-control, for tact, wisdom, and self-sacrificing love; yet she cannot boast of what she has done as any great achievement. She has only kept things in the home running smoothly; often weary and perplexed, she has tried to speak kindly to the children, to keep them busy and happy, and to guide the little feet in the right path. She feels that she has accomplished nothing. But it is not so. Heavenly angels watch the care-worn mother, noting the burdens she carries day by day. Her name may not have been heard in the world, but it is written in the Lamb's book of life.” {Ministry of Healing, 376}
“Jesus knows the burden of every mother's heart. He who had a mother that struggled with poverty and privation sympathizes with every mother in her labors. He who made a long journey in order to relieve the anxious heart of a Canaanite woman will do as much for the mothers of today.... Let mothers come to Jesus with their perplexities. They will find grace sufficient to aid them in the management of their children. The gates are open for every mother who would lay her burdens at the Saviour's feet.” {The Desire of Ages, 512}
“The king upon his throne has no higher work than has the mother. The mother is queen of her household. She has in her power the molding of her children's characters, that they may be fitted for the higher, immortal life. An angel could not ask for a higher mission; for in doing this work she is doing service for God. Let her only realize the high character of her task, and it will inspire her with courage. Let her realize the worth of her work and put on the whole armor of God, that she may resist the temptation to conform to the world's standard. Her work is for time and for eternity.” {Adventist Home, 231}
“When the judgment shall sit, and the books shall be opened; when the "well done" of the great Judge is pronounced, and the crown of immortal glory is placed upon the brow of the victor, many will raise their crowns in sight of the assembled universe and, pointing to their mother, say, "She made me all I am through the grace of God. Her instruction, her prayers, have been blessed to my eternal salvation."” {Messages to Young People, 330}
“Great responsibilities rest upon you, mothers. . . . By your fervent prayers of faith you can move the arm that moves the world. . . . The prayers of Christian mothers are not disregarded by the Father of all. . . . He will not turn away your petitions, and leave you and yours to the buffetings of Satan in the great day of final conflict. It is for you to work with simplicity and faithfulness, and God will establish the work of your hands.” {My Life Today, 21}
We have all learned the fifth commandment demanding that we honor our father and mother, but here is an interesting passage along the same line.
“Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:3 KJV)
Cada uno temerá á su madre y á su padre, y mis sábados guardaréis: Yo Jehová vuestro Dios. (Levítico 19:3 SRV)
“My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:” (Proverbs 1:8 KJV)
Oye, hijo mío, la doctrina de tu padre, Y no desprecies la dirección de tu madre: (Proverbios 1:8 SRV)
“My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:” (Proverbs 6:20 KJV)
Guarda, hijo mío, el mandamiento de tu padre, Y no dejes la enseñanza de tu madre: (Proverbios 6:20 SRV)
“Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.” (Proverbs 23:22-25 KJV)
Oye á tu padre, á aquel que te engendró; Y cuando tu madre envejeciere, no la menosprecies. Compra la verdad, y no la vendas; La sabiduría, la enseñanza, y la inteligencia. Mucho se alegrará el padre del justo: Y el que engendró sabio se gozará con él. Alégrense tu padre y tu madre, Y gócese la que te engendró. (Proverbios 23:22-25 SRV)
“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” (2 Timothy 1:5 KJV)
Trayendo á la memoria la fe no fingida que hay en ti, la cual residió primero en tu abuela Loida, y en tu madre Eunice; y estoy cierto que en ti también. (2 Timoteo 1:5 SRV)
Please stay safe, and may God continue to watch over you, dear brothers and sisters.
Pastor Richard Parent