Seven Ways to Love Your Mother
Subject: How to Build Identity into Your Mom
by Rick Welborne
John 19:25-27 (NKJV)
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!"
27 Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!"
27 Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
--Mary witnessed the crucifixion from the foot of the cross. Can you even imagine how she must’ve felt?
--Jesus turns to John and says, take care of her, and looks at his mother and says, let him stand in my place as your son. John lived a very long life, and I believe he took care of Mary until she went to heaven.
--Jesus is on the cross, bearing the weight of the sins of the whole world on His shoulders, yet He sees to it to make sure His mother is taken care of after He is gone!
--As God, Jesus is dealing with eternal matters, but as a man, He’s showing all of us today how important it is to take care and love our mothers!
--You cannot be willfully wrong with your mother and be right with God. If your mother is still alive, regardless of your and her ages, you can love her in these 7 ways:
1. Love her by what you say!
Men’s Philosophy – I don’t have to tell my wife I love her; she already knows I do. If I change my mind, I will let her know.
--The man may say I show my wife love, not just say it…and that may be true, but a woman needs to hear those words, “I Love You!” Look at your wife and tell her you love her. It does not take away your manhood!
--If you struggle to say to your wife or your mom, I love you…I am just not built like that, let God rebuild you... I am just not comfortable…then, get used to being uncomfortable…say it to them.
Proverbs 18:21-22 (NKJV)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.
2. Love her by your touch!
--When’s the last time you gave your wife or your mom a hug without her asking for it…or a kiss on the cheek, or a neck rub, or just sat on the couch and held her hand?
--Your mom is the first person who ever touched you…she wrapped you up in her womb for months, and you came out and her first priority was to hold you.
--She cuddled with you, stroked your face, rubbed your feet, held your little cheeks against hers, gave you a finger to hold…in love she did all these things, including cleaning you with a licked finger!
--When you were little she could say, “give me sugar”, and you’d pucker up and she’d accept your wet, sloppy nasty kiss and even say thank you!
--You give her bear hugs so tight she didn’t have to hold on…you’d just cling to her as she walked around!
--She changed your diapers, potty trained you, and held the Kleenex for you to blow your nose! She wiped food off of your face years longer than she should have had to!
--She constantly touched you! And she may have to hand you off to another, and her life may endure some heavy changes, but she deserves your touch and should never have to give that up completely!
--That touch would mean more to her than flowers or candy, or eating out, or a diamond necklace (well, let’s not go too far!) Everyone needs touch…everyone needs a hug! Why I love walking around the church!
Mark 10:13-14 (NKJV)
13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
3. Love her by being patient!
--Mothers have an incredible job with no pay. No position in the business world compares to the physical, emotional, and spiritual commitment she has in being a mother.
--She rises up at break of the day and through her tasks she races. She cooks the meals as best she can and scrubs the children’s faces while schoolbooks, lunches, homework too, all need consideration...
--And yet many insists she has— “No job” but when breakfast dishes all are done she rushes off to work her job or starts cleaning all the rooms one by one.
--With one eye she watches the little ones still at home while taking care of the enormous pile of clothes that have to be washed. I think I would rather dig a ditch than stay home and do housework and watch kids.
--We men like to play with them for an hour and get them all stirred up and then leave them to mom while we go fishing. Taking care of home is the hardest job…yet people say ‘stay at home moms’ do not work!
--Mom works all day at home or her job and the first thing she hears when she gets home is not…I love you or I missed you or how was your day…she hears…what’s for dinner, I’m starving!!!
--Don’t ever make the mistake of asking a lady…Do you work or stay at home? Only thing worse is to ask an expecting mom…Are you ever going to have that baby?
--Here’s the point, in spite of all she does for us, we often become impatient with her…we get so used to her taking care of things we come to expect it…give the lady a break!
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
4. Love her by your willingness to hear her heart.
--Mothers listen as you pour out your heart…she has a sympathetic ear and always has…and even as an adult you’ve gone to her when you want someone who will really listen and understand…and she’ll always be there.
--No wonder athletes say…I love you, Mom! When they are interviewed…Mom’s listen and they care.
--A documentary was done on prisoners on death row…they were interviewed as well as their moms. Invariably the moms would say, He’s such a good boy! Interviewer: yes, but he slaughtered 37 with an axe!... “I know, but he has a good heart!”
--It’s no wonder we like to talk to mom…she listens…but now she has issues, and now it’s your turn to be her “rock” and take time to listen…it’s payback time! “But, she’s always complaining” yes, just like you did!
--There is a reason God gave us two ears and one mouth…we should listen twice as much as we talk! Listen to mom and hear her heart…yes, she is frustrated but you would be too if you had to deal with you!
5. Love her gratefully.
--An elementary science class had been studying magnets, and how metal objects are attracted to them. At the end of the semester the teacher puts on exam this question:
--What word has six letters and it starts with the letter “M” and it picks up things? After the teaching the obvious answer was magnet but over half the class wrote “Mother”.
--She needs a sincere thank you, and not just today, but from a genuinely thankful heart when least expected!
Romans 1:20-22 (NKJV)
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
--Now I know these verses are talking about our relationship with God but I think it can truly apply to our moms.
A. God’s attributes were clearly seen…mom’s attributes, also, are clearly seen by what she does.
B. They knew God but did not glorify Him as God…we know mom but give her no praise for what she does.
C. They knew God but were not thankful…we know mom but we are not thankful for her.
D. Their thinking was messed up toward God…our thoughts toward our mothers are messed up.
E. Their hearts were darkened toward God…our hearts too can be darkened toward mom.
F. They professed to be wise but became fools…when we think we know it all, we become fools! Be thankful for the wisdom of your mom.
6. Love her generously!
--It would be very difficult to be too good to her and to repay her for all she has done for you. Instead of spending on herself, she spent it on others in the family.
--Maybe it is time for her to be treated with generosity…maybe it is time for her to reap what she has sown…maybe God can use you to be the one to repay her for her sacrifice.
--She has given generously as a taxi service for you…she has blessed you when she had her own needs…she scripturally has been the greatest among us by being a servant.
Matthew 23:11-12 (NKJV)
11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
7. Love her honorably.
Exodus 20:12 (NKJV)
12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
--When children leave home and start their own lives and families, children could argue that they longer have to obey their parents and they would be right but to honor is something you do until they die.
--This is binding as long as your mother lives. If the husband is the head of the home, then the mother is the heart...don’t break her heart!
--You may say “My mother wasn’t honorable!” Well, the Bible says nothing about that qualification.
--It only asks, is she your mother! It’s the only one of the 10 commandments which includes a built-in promise of blessing! That your days may be long!
Ephesians 6:1-3 (NLT)
1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.
2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise:
3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.
2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise:
3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
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