From the Pastor's Pen, November, 2005:

May 2007 From the Pastor's Pen

“Mom Always Said . . . “

During the month of May at First United Methodist Church we have many ways in which we celebrate the wisdom, the faith and the ministry going on in our midst. We’ll share the Sacraments of Baptism and Communion on May 6, celebrate a “Children’s Sabbath” on May 13, have a day of celebrating the music ministry of the church, and a day in which we recognize the leaders of our Christian Education program. The Day of Pentecost, “the birthday of the Christian Church,” comes this year at the end of May. That’s a lot of celebration! That’s a lot of joy.

In there in the month of May is also the secular holiday of Mother’s Day. I always have mixed feelings about this day—not because I don’t want to honor my mother. My Mom, Betty, has been a source of support and care throughout my life, believing in me, nurturing me in faith by example, and pointing out when I have messed up. (Thanks, Mom!)

But I also know that there are mothers who have not been able to be sources of strength and encouragement for their children, some by intention to harm, and some who have simply not had the emotional or material resources to care for their children. There are women for whom the greatest pain in life has been that they have not been able to bear children, and some who have made faithful choices to live full lives without having children. Like most of life, it’s a mixed reality. Singling out one group of people, for one day, seems artificial. That’s certainly not an excuse not to “honor our mothers,” (as the fifth commandment, says) but it ought not to be just the card or gift, nor just the day. And we need to recognize that people have had all kinds of experiences, positive and negative, and often both, with their parents or their parenting. One size does not fit all.

Sometimes in the church, we address this by calling that day “Festival of the Christian Home” in worship. I guess I’d like to broaden that idea even further—to women and men who have nurtured faith in others; to all who seek to help shape the lives of those we encounter, by our example as well as our words. Our Worship and Music Committee voted to honor all the mothers and “mothers-in-faith” of our congregation, not with token gifts this year, but by contributing to the Camp Scholarship fund for our young people attending church camp. All of us can share our wisdom, nurture others in faith, and offer a word of hope and encouragement. We can all be “mothers-in-faith,” fathers-in-faith, and friends-in-faith.

Many of us remember clearly the things that “Mom always said.” My mom said that her mother, Myrtle, frequently quoted a verse from Matthew 6, in the Sermon on the Mount: “sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (That was King James Version---the New Revised Standard Version says “Today’s own trouble is enough for today,” part of Jesus’ message not to worry about anything!)

This week I asked several folks in the church to share what their mother always said to them. Some people declined because they didn’t remember anything specific, or because the messages were negative or painful to recall. My point is, the words we offer to our children (and the church’s children, and all God’s children, each other) are memorable. They can shape us, and they can leave scars. May our words be not only remembered, but formative for others’ lives of faith. That’s part of being followers of Jesus.

Here’s how several of the folks from our congregation, a random sample, responded, with the mom’s name in parentheses at the end of the quote, with first names only:

♥ Anne: ”Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Gretchen)

♥ Barbara: “If you’re sure, it’s alright, you can go.” (Evelyn

♥ Bettie: “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” (Edith)

♥ Dan: “You will be a teacher.” (Xanthoulas)

♥ Diana: “Remember your Guardian angel is always with you. Listen as she guides you. You are in God’s grace.” (Cecelia)

♥ Donna: “If you can’t say something to make the other person feel good, don’t say anything at all.” (Doris)

♥ Ena: “Nice little girls don’t do that!” (Peggy)

♥ Inez tells this story: “Our family always quilted and did sewing. We were taught to always look on the back side of things. If it was neat, the front would be OK.” (Ruth)

♥ Jan: “Honey catches more flies than vinegar.” (Peggy)

♥ Jeff: “Study hard and learn a lot!” (Dawn)

♥ Joan: “Always tell the truth!” (Elizabeth)

♥ John B.: “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, anything is possible.” (Pauline)

♥ John S.: “Idle hands are the work of the devil.” (Gladys)

♥ Mackenzie: “Sweet dreams, God bless, see you in the morning.” (Lesa)

♥ Mary: “Life isn’t fair. Be grateful for what you have. There is always someone who has less.” (Elaine)

♥ Melanie: “Thank-you notes make the world go ‘round.” (Betty)

♥ Pat: “Please be home when the street lights go on.” (Ethel)

♥ Peg: “Always do your best.” (Hazel)

♥ Phyllis: “You’re not leaving this house until the dishes are done.” (Bessie)

♥ Roger: “I want you to . . . “(Verda)

♥ Tim: “It isn’t worth worrying yourself sick about!” (Karen)

May your words be words of encouragement---every day!

On the Journey with you,

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