-- Exodus 20:12 (The Fifth Commandment)
Honor your father and your mother,
so that you may live long in the land
the LORD your God is giving you.

---

Mother's Day is set apart every year in honor of motherhood. On the second Sunday in May, many families and churches make a special point of honoring mothers.

Mother's Day, first observed in 1908, was recognized officially by Congress and President Woodrow Wilson in 1914. It is celebrated in honor of the nation's mothers on the second Sunday in May. Mother's Day is one of the holidays that have been designated by Presidential proclamations.

---

No man is poor who has a godly mother. - Abraham Lincoln

I cannot forget my mother. She is my bridge. When I needed to get across, she steadied herself long enough for me to run across safely. ~R.Weems

A mother's arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them. ~V.Hugo



ON MOTHERHOOD

A mother's love is like a circle,
it has no beginning and no ending.
It keeps going around and around
ever expanding, touching everyone

who comes in contact with it.
Engulfing them like the morning's mist,
warming them like the noontime sun,
and covering them like a blanket of evening stars.

A mother's love is like a circle,
it has no beginning and no ending.

-- Unknown

-- Ephesians 6:1-4
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother" -- which is the first commandment with a promise -- 3 that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. (Deut 5:16) 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.



"WHO IS MOTHER?"

Mother is half of the Father/Mother team, the one who gave birth to you as a child. When she first held you in her arms, she fell madly in love with you!

She is the one that changed your diaper, gave you your bottle, bathed and dressed you. She is the one who tended to you when you were sick, wishes she could have bore your pain, but unable to even share it with you. There is none like a Mother.

If you have children, then you know what it's like to be a Mother. Often, it's a tough job, with unruly children, and many heartaches before they are grown.

Sometimes a Mother is lucky that she has well-disciplined children, but only because she (and father) have done their best in order for them to be well-adjusted teenagers and later adults.

Mostly, Mother sits and worries that she hasn't done her best with her children, especially if they don't turn out as she thought they should, with all the training she (and father) had given them.

Mother is a human being, capable of making mistakes. She is not perfect, just as none of us are perfect. But she is the one that we picture as being perfect during our childhood.

As we become older, we realize that Mothers are capable of right and wrong ways of doing things, missing the mark, just as much as the next person. But she is still Mother.

The thing that sets her apart is her everlasting love for her children and her intent that they lead normal, well-adjusted lives.

Not until we become adults, do we really begin to appreciate WHO Mother really is. She has nurtured you through your childhood, put up with your sassy ways and times of being lazy during your teenage years, and cried through your becoming an adult. But Mother was always there to encourage you when you made a mistake, although sometimes it's hard not to show disappointment {I am sure I've done that}.

As we grow older and have our own children, we realize that Mother was a very strong person, and we begin to wonder can we ever fit into her shoes. No, we wear our 'own shoes'........ we can never do things the same as our Mother, although she has given us the pattern from which to build.

IF we have a Godly Mother {I did!}, then we can bring up our children in the ways of God, so that when they grow older we have the assurance that some day they will live for God. After all,

Proverbs 22:6 says "Train up a child in the ways he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Mothers are special. Is your Mother living today? If so, try to make this Mother's Day the most wonderful day of her life! Show her you care if only by telling her you love her. Take her out to eat, take her flowers, but show up on Mother's Day, if possible.

You will never know how much this helps Mother to realize her family still cares. Sometimes we get busy doing the usual things in life, and lose sight of the most important aspects - loving our family.

And Mother happens to be where that 'family' began. Without Mother (or Father), there would never have been a complete family. You might also tell Daddy that you are so happy that he chose Mother to be his wife. Make his eyes light up as well!!

M - Messenger, relaying God's Word
O - Outpouring of genuine Love
T - Trusts in God
H - Heart set on things above
E - Earthly saint
R - Rescuer of the Wayward


-- Barbara Sanders

As a parent, you are not automatically assigned the job of "chief worrier." Instead, fill your heart with trust, hope, and God's peace. You'll sleep so much better at night. -- Words of Wisdom

-- Matthew 6:25, 33-34
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
++ 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

-- Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.



"More Than a Mother"

When God set the world in place,
When He hung the stars up in space,
When He made the land and the sea,
Then He made you and me.

He sat back and saw all that was good,
He saw things to be as they should.
Just one more blessing He had in store;
He created a mother, but whatever for?

He knew a mother would have a special place
To shine His reflection on her child's face.
A mother will walk the extra mile
Just to see her children smile.

She'll work her fingers to the bone
To make a house into a home.
A mother is there to teach and guide,
A mother will stay right by your side.

She'll be there through your pain and strife,
She'll stay constant in your life.
A mother will lend a helping hand
Until you have the strength to stand.

She'll pick you up when you are down,
When you need a friend she'll stick around.
A mother is one who listens well,
Will keep her word; will never tell.

A mother never pokes or pries
But stands quietly by your side,
Giving you the strength you need,
Encouraging you to succeed.

A mother is one who can be strong
When you need someone to lean on.

You're more than a mother to me;
A reflection of Him in your face I see,
A love that knows no boundaries.
I'm glad that You chose to be

All this and more to me.
You share a love that knows no end,
You're more than my mother,
You are my friend and my Savior.

-- Kari Keshmiry



God is love, so He made mothers.

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me.
They have clung to me all my life. ~ A. Lincoln

-- 2 Timothy 1:5
I am reminded of your sincere faith,
a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and
your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you.

-- Proverbs 23:22, 25
22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,
And do not despise your mother when she is old.
25 May your father and mother be glad;
May she who gave you birth rejoice!




Reflections of a Mother
( What a mother would say )

I Gave you Life -- But cannot Live it for you
I can Teach you things -- But I cannot make you Learn
I can Give you Directions -- But I cannot be there to lead you
I can allow you Freedom -- But I cannot Account for it

+ I can teach you about God -- But I cannot make God your Lord
+ I can take you to Church -- But I cannot make you Believe
+ I can Love you as a child -- But I cannot place you in God's Family
+ I can tell you how to Live -- But I cannot give you Eternal Life
+ I can Pray for you -- But I cannot make you Walk with God
+ I can Warn you about Sins -- But I cannot make you Moral

I can teach you Right from Wrong -- But I cannot always decide for you
I can buy you beautiful cloths -- But I cannot make you Beautiful Inside
I can offer you Advice -- But I cannot accept it for you
I can give you Love -- But I cannot force it upon you
I can teach you to Share -- But I cannot make you unselfish
I can teach you Respect -- But I cannot force you to show Honor
I can advice you about Friends -- But cannot choose them for you
I can advise you about Sex -- But I cannot keep you Pure
I can tell you the Facts of Life -- But I cannot build your Reputation
I can tell you about Drinks -- But I cannot say "No" for you
I can warn you about Drugs -- But I cannot Prevent you from using them
I can tell you about lofty Goals -- But I cannot achieve them for you
I can teach you Kindness -- But I cannot Force you to be Gracious

+ I can Love you with unconditional Love all of my life and I will always.

-- Mother's Heart

The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom. --H. W. Beecher

+++ Our mother is truly a Gift of God +++

-- Luke 11:27-28
27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out,
"Blessed is the mother who gave You birth and nursed You."
28 He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey it."



"FOR MY MOTHER"

Growing up at such a fitfull pace,
In a time that was always trying;
Never knowing what life had in store;
No half way between laughter and crying.....

There has always been someone near me,
Who has given, much more than she's gotten.
Never expected, complained, or questioned,
When her deeds were quickly forgotten.

There were things that I saw, in this woman;
That, as a child, I was sure I could be.
But, as I grew into someone else.....
She, still, remained true to me.

Through my trials and tribulations.
Through my good times, and my strife.
She has always been my roots and wings,
Since the day she gave me life!

She has given up, so very much, of her own life,
To make ours worth living.
And, though, we've often let her down;
Her soul just keeps on giving.

Now, that my life is in question,
I find myself, often, in thought.....
Wondering if I've done, or said it all,
And finding, that I really, have not.

If only.....I could find a way,
To let her know, how I love her.
The adoration and real respect,
That I feel, just floats above her.

So, these words are for this woman,
Who is always firm in my heart.
Knowing.... when God calls on one of us,
We will, in memory, never part.

But then again, we never know.....
So I pray, to the Lord above;
"Let me raise my kids, like she did,"
"In the warmth of a Mother's love."

You've always had a hand to lend,
Or to hold, like no other....
I'm proud to call you, my best friend,
And with great honor, I call you Mother!

-- Forever, Jackie.



There is a religion in all deep love, but the love of a mother is the veil of a softer light between the heart and the heavenly Father.
-- Samuel Taylor Coleridge

-- Matthew 19:19
Honor your father and mother,’
and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’



"Mother"

She has been God's laborer to keep me safe and sound
She has kept me in sight, calmed my fears in the night
She has argued and fought,
She has paid and she's bought.

She's been sick and she's been feeble
Never mean, yet sometimes disagreeable.
She's given love like there's no tomorrow
If she didn't have enough, she would have borrowed.

There is nothing I could ever do to repay
Except do God's work, and hope and pray.
... I hope she will one day see how close
I wish her and I to be.
And let her know there will be no other
She'll always be my beloved Mother.

-- David L. Kriss



Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother. -- L. Yutang

The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. -- Anonymous

A mother who is really a mother is never free. -- H.D.Balzac:

Mother – that was the bank where we deposited all our hurts and worries. -- T.D.Talmage

There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it. -- Chinese Proverb



"Thank You Mother"

Thank You For Being There - Thank You for Love.
Thank You for telling of God up above.
Thanks for the diapers, the washing, the folding,
The changing, repinings and all of the Holding -
The Rocking, the Singing, the Healing, the Smile -
The endurance it took to cope all the while,

With so many children, so many... you know -
I think I'd have quit not continued to go
On with the Caring, the Loving, the Giving,
The unceasing frustrations of everyday living
With all of your children...

The cooking, the cleaning, the sewing and work.
Honor is due You for You did not shirk.
You did not cease and You did not run.
You did not give up as I might have done.

And so - For those Hours, those Days, all those Years
I Thank You Dear Mother... Forgive me the Tears,
The Heartaches, and All,
The Anger, the Rudeness, The Big and the Small.

May Mother's Day find Your Heart Full to the brim
With Peace, Joy, and Love. May nothing seem grim.
God Bless You Mother...
May your heart know how Dear -
You are to me
Now and each day of the year...

-- M.Garren



-- Genesis 3:20
And Adam called his wife’s name Eve,
because she was the mother of all living.

-- Genesis 24:67
Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

-- Ruth 1:8,16
8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back, each of you, to your mother‘s home. May the LORD show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me.
+ 16 But Ruth replied, "Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."

-- 1 Samuel 1:26-28
26 “Sir (Eli), do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the woman who stood here several years ago praying to the LORD. 27 I asked the LORD to give me this boy, and He has granted my request. 28 Now I am giving him to the LORD, and he will belong to the LORD his whole life.” And they worshiped the LORD there.
-- 1 Samuel 2:1-2; :18-21
1 Then Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the LORD! The LORD has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because You rescued me. 2 No one is holy like the LORD! There is no one besides You; there is no Rock like our God."

+18 But Samuel was ministering before the LORD -- a boy wearing a linen ephod. 19 Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, "May the LORD give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the LORD." Then they would go home. 21 And the LORD was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.

-- Psalms 22:9-10
9 But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts. 10 I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb You have been My God.

-- Proverbs 6:20
My son, keep your father’s commands
and do not forsake your mother‘s teaching.

-- Matthew 12:50
For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven
is My brother and sister and mother.

-- Mark 10:6-9
6 "But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

-- Luke 1:43
But why am I so favored,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

-- John 19:26-27
26 When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," 27 and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.



Mother's Day Prayers

God our Creator, we pray:
For new mothers, coming to terms with new responsibility;
For expectant mothers, wondering and waiting;
For those who are tired, stressed or depressed;
For those who struggle to balance the tasks of work and family;
For those who are unable to feed their children due to poverty;
For those whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities;
For those who raise children on their own;
For those who have children they do not want;
For those who have lost a child;
For those who care for the children of others;
For those whose children have left home;
And for those whose desire to be a mother has not been fulfilled.

Bless all mothers, that their love may be deep and tender,
and that they may lead their children to know and do what is good,
living not for themselves alone, but for God and for others.
Amen.

+*+*+*+*+*+*+

Loving God,
We thank you for the love of the mothers you have given us,
whose love is so precious that it can never be measured,
whose patience seems to have no end.
May we see your loving hand behind them and guiding them.
We pray for those mothers who fear they will run out of love or time, or patience.
We ask you to bless them with Your own special love.
We ask this in the loving name of Jesus.
Amen.



   HAPPY & BLESSED - MOTHER'S DAY!