DEBUNKING THE MYTHS OF MOTHERHOOD

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   In 1908, Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in Grafton, West Virginia.

 

B.    Following this, she began a campaign to make “Mother’s Day” a recognized holiday in the United States.

 

C.   She was successful in 1914.  President Woodrow Wilson made the day an official holiday that year.

 

D.   Facts about the day.

1.     One of the biggest days for the sale of flowers and cards.

2.     The biggest holiday for long-distance telephone calls.

3.     Churches yield the highest attendance on this day following Christmas and Easter.

 

E.    The word “mother” is a Bible topic.

1.     It is used 320 times in 292 verses.

2.     The first use of the term is found in Genesis 2:24.

 

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife:  and they shall be one flesh.

 

3.     Eve was the first mother.  Her name means “the mother of all living” (Gen. 3:20).

 

F.     We want to look at the subject of mothers this morning.  The title of our lesson is:  “Debunking the Myths of Motherhood.”

 

I.           ANY WOMAN CAN BE A MOTHER

 

A.   This is not true.  It may be true that any sexually mature woman can have a child, but not just anyone can be a mother.

 

B.    Being a mother takes some special attitudes, talents, and abilities.

1.     A willingness to sacrifice

2.     A willingness to labor

3.     Patience

4.     The ability to teach

5.     The ability to minister

 

C.   Hannah (I Sam. 1:22)

 

But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child is weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever.

 

II.         MOTHERS ARE NOT IMPORTANT

 

A.   This concept is played out and advanced in many ways in our society.

1.     Mothers went to work and ceased being with their children 24/7.

2.     The homosexual agenda – 2 males rearing a child

3.     The State takes the place of the mother.

a.     Children being removed from homes for being obese.

b.    Child recently taken from parents because they wanted a second opinion about their child’s heart condition.

 

B.    Quotes:

1.     “Mother is the name for God in the lives and hearts of little children” (Alfred Lloyd Tennyson).

2.     “Mother’s arms are made of tenderness – and sweet sleep blesses the child who lies therein” (Victor Hugo).

 

C.   Timothy’s mother was a very important part of his life (II Tim. 1:5).

 

When I call to remembrance the unfeign faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grand-mother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

 

III.       MOTHERS DON’T REALLY WORK

 

A.   This has been a charge leveled against moms, especially stay-at-home moms (i.e., Hilary Rosen’s comment about Ann Romney:  “…never worked a day in her life,” yet she raised seven boys).

 

B.    Moms work extremely hard.  In fact, I have called the “virtuous woman” of Proverbs 31 a “superwoman.”

1.     Verse 15

 

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

 

2.     Verse 21

 

She is not afraid of the snow for her household:  for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

 

3.     Verse 27

 

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

 

C.   Moms do a lot of things:  cook, housekeeper, teacher, counselor, judge and jury, taxi cab driver, nurse, cheerleader, finance manager, activities planner, husband’s assistant, etc.

 

D.   Mothers work so much that one has said:  “If evolution were true mothers would have more than two hands.”

 

IV.        MOTHERS ARE MEAN

 

A.   Mean is defined as “nasty, malicious, and hateful.”  The word is usually associated with such terms as “low, base, sordid, and vile.”

1.     There are probably a few moms that have been mean.

2.     Most moms do not manifest meanness. Their children only accuse them of such.

 

B.    Why are moms considered mean?

1.     They set boundaries.

2.     They give their children responsibilities.

3.     They hold their children accountable.

4.     They will correct and discipline.

 

C.   All of the acts listed above involved forms of teaching and discipline.  They are part of the process of shaping and molding children.  The mothers who do these things are not mean, but are loving.

1.     Proverbs 19:18

 

Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

 

2.     Proverbs 29:17

 

Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea; he shall give delight unto thy soul.

 

3.     Proverbs 13:24

 

He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

 

V.          MOTHERHOOD COMES TO AN END

 

A.   There are three apparent ways motherhood might seem to come to an end.

1.     The children leave home.

2.     A mother’s children die.

3.     Mother herself dies.

 

B.    Really, none of these things end motherhood.

1.     When children leave the house, they still rely on their moms (Hannah).

2.     If a child dies, a mother still knows that she has been a mother.  Her heart never stops loving her child (Bathsheba).

3.     When a woman dies, her physical presence is gone, but her legacy continues.  Her children do not forget her (Eunice).

 

 

 

VI.        MOTHERHOOD DOES NOT PAY

 

A.   It is true that being a mother does not pay physical wages.  That’s sad because it has been estimated that the work a mom does is worth hundreds of dollars each week, about $70,000.00 per year.

 

B.    There are other rewards of motherhood.

1.     Personal satisfaction:  being with her children and making a difference in their lives

2.     The end product:  healthy, balanced, hard-working, Christian adults

3.     Honor (Prov. 31:28-29)

 

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.

 

4.     The heavenly reward (Rev. 14:13)

 

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth:  Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   It is sad that society has taken such a low view of mothers.

 

B.    We must continue to promote and honor this God-given position.

 

C.   Poem:  Mothers Are Special