SERMON By Robin Mathews-Johnson                                                  

Proverbs 31:10-31

“The Greatest Gift”

MOTHERHOOD

I know many people idealize mothers, especially on this day.  Most of the time, mothers are the best.  Mothers are as close to perfect as you can get in one person, besides Dad.  And mothers are honest, too.  They make us mad when they tell us what we don’t want to hear. 

But no matter what, they’re still our moms.   

We may not be moms ourselves, but at one time or the other, we all started with one.  From time to time the mothers in our lives—the people who love and care for us and clean us up and watch out for us—aren’t technically mothers at all.  They can be an aunt or a friend or someone else, you name it.

“Any consideration of Mother’s Day compels us to consider our own experiences with our mother, whether birth mother, adoptive… or [someone else] serving as mother for us.”[i]

Somebody has to do the job, and that job is mothering.  We know that if we aren’t loved, we have a pretty hard time coming into our own in the Spirit, and that’s a fact.  An old African proverb puts it this way, “In the eyes of its mother, every beetle is a gazelle.” And nobody wants to be a beetle.

There’s an irony to Mother’s Day, too.  For this one day we celebrate the glory of motherhood, but for 364 others when mom is busy trying to do what moms do best—which in my book is pretty much about everything that needs to be done, and then some—we take her for granted.

I used to feel that mothers had this kind of mysterious authority: if mom says so it must be true.  Then I became a mother and I found out how tough the job really is.  It’s harder than it looks!  And plenty of people blame mothers for the ills of the world, sometimes with good reason.  But now that I’m a mother I don’t see it that way. 

I know that being a mother is more of a work in progress. 

There are many variations on motherhood—step moms, temporary moms, former moms, once living moms, alive and kickin’ moms.  “God loves you, and so do I.”  That’s got mom written all over it.  Plus, we know it’s the bedrock truth for us at church that “God’s love is available to everyone.”  Moms teach us that.  But not everyone gets the healthy love and support they need, and that’s too bad. 

Plus, there are times when even moms need help. 

It reminds me of the story of the worried housewife, who sprang to the telephone when it rang, and listened with relief to the kindly voice on the other end of the line.[ii]  “How are you, darling?” the voice asked.  “What kind of day are you having?” 

“Oh, mom,” said the woman, breaking into tears, “I’ve had such a bad day.  The baby won’t eat and the washing machine broke down.  I haven’t had a chance to go shopping, and besides, I’ve just sprained my ankle and I’m can barely walk.  On top of that, the house is a mess and I’m supposed to entertain two couples tonight for dinner.”

The woman on the phone sounded shocked and quite sympathetic.  “Oh, darling,” she said, “sit down, relax and close your eyes.  I’ll be over in half an hour.  I’ll do your shopping, clean up the house and cook your dinner for you.  I’ll feed the baby and I’ll call a repairperson who will come to your house to fix the washing machine right away.  Now stop crying.  I’ll do everything.  In fact, I’ll even call George at the office and tell him he ought to come home early and help out for once.” 

“George?” said the housewife.  “Who’s George?”

“Why, George, your husband! …Is this 455-1734?”  “No, this is 455-1735.”  “Oh, I’m so sorry.  I guess I have the wrong number.”  There was a short pause and the housewife said, “Does this mean you’re not coming over?”

THE BIBLE SAYS

There are lots of mothers in the Bible, although they don’t all get high marks.  The mothers there are seen as real people, warts and all, and that means that according to Scripture they typically make as many mistakes as the next guy. 

Of course, that’s why we read the Bible.  If we’re honest, we know that we’re in it, too!

But biblical truths aside, many ancient and not so ancients texts including the Old Testament have stereotyped women in general and mothers in particular in ways that reflect their particular patriarchal, pre-modern bias.  In their view, women don’t rate. 

That’s why the reading we heard this morning is so refreshing.  Way, way back before women’s equality hit the stage, the woman depicted in Proverbs chapter 31 had her act together, big time.  This capable mother was a welcome change from the typical Hebrew stereotype.[iii]  And no wonder; she surely had all her ducks in a row.

She was a mom and housewife, and rightly proud of it.  But she also had her priorities straight, and that meant she knew how blessed she was under God.  She worked hard, and was involved in business.  She was capable, strong, and virtuous.  Plus, she was a go-getter. 

As one writer put it, “…in [contrast] to the way our modern culture reduces women to their physical appearance and social savvy, this woman’s worth is based on her skills, her wisdom, her kindness and on the fact that she fears [and loves] God.[iv] 

In a word, this long ago mother from the book of Proverbs had something to teach all of us, and that’s a good thing.

WISDOM FROM MOM

I don’t know about you, but I think our moms taught us a lot.  Still do.  Whether we follow their recommendations is another story.

 Mothers teach us about logic.[v]  If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you can’t go to the store with me.  And mothers teach us more logic.  Stop doing what you’re doing.  Why?  Because I say so, that’s why.  They train us to think ahead.  If you don’t pass your spelling test, you’ll never get a good job.  Plus, mothers teach us to keep the house clean.  If you’re going to kill each other, please go outside. 

Mothers explain genetics.  You’re just like your father!  Mothers also remind us of our roots.  Shut the front door.  Were you born in a barn?  In addition, mothers explain religion.  You better pray that will come out of the carpet.  And mothers teach us about justice.  One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!

 “And she thought no one was listening!”[vi]

To be honest, I really did learn a lot from my mother.  Maybe I’m not her mirror image, and I still have a rebellious streak in me when it comes to parental guidance, but my mother is one of my greatest heroes.  What a gift!  She’s taught me plenty of important things about life. That woman in Proverbs has nothing on her.

Whether she knows it or not, my mother taught me things that I still remember and try to live by, such as: Listen to the music; it will make you dance.  Be nice, if you can, and don’t work too hard.  Mind your manners.  Relax.  Keep your sense of humor, especially in tough times, and remember to have a friend, be a friend. 

And last but not least, I learned from my mother that if I needed her help, she’d be glad to give it.  She still does.  (Thanks mom.) 

“My mom is the best mom because she’s the mom God gave me.”[vii]  So follow her advice: “… let go.  Have faith.  Loosen up.  Trust God.  And listen to [your mother].”[viii]  Amen.