My Testimony about Motherhood
I’ve held many types of jobs. I began my work as a school teacher. I’ve also worked in corporate America, owned a small business and now work here at FBC. But out of all these positions, the best job has been mother to my 4 sons and 3 step-daughters.
God has taught me many things about being someone’s mom but my training began many years ago as a child. By observing my mother, I learned how to care and enjoy my children. By observing my dad, I learned how to explore my world and have fun and then use those experiences with my own children. During my earlier years of motherhood, I didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. Instead, God blessed me with loving parents that guided and helped me as a new mother.
Since becoming a Christ follower, God has taught me many things about being a mom and I will share 5 with you this morning
· 1. God taught me how to guard my heart.
My favorite scripture about guarding the heart is “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23). Out of the overflow of our mouths, speak our hearts.
As moms, the things that we store up in our hearts will become what we teach our children. If the overflow of our heart is unforgiveness, bitterness and anxiety, then these are what our children will be taught. But if we store up good things like healthy forgiveness, pleasure, calmness, contentment, then our children will extend these characteristics to others.
God wants us to guard our hearts because they are valuable. We ask Jesus to reside in our hearts when we ask Him to take control of our lives. Our spiritual heart is our core and God’s Word instructs us not to grieve the Holy Spirit, so we must guard it. Today my heart is full of His blessings. God keeps His promises.
· 2. God taught me how to love my children.
My children can win my heart and break it, all in the same day. I’m not sure how to explain why or how a mother can exhibit feelings of constant love for their children, even when they disappoint us, but if we understand how our Father in heaven must feel about us when we sin against Him, then it makes it easier to love our children under all circumstances.
Unconditional love did not come naturally to me, especially when a 3 year old is telling you how much he hates you for not letting him do something. I remember times when I would go into the bathroom needing a quiet moment and see little fingers reaching under the door eagerly awaiting my return. How can you not love them? God showed me love through my mistakes and I learned how to pass this love onto my children. A favorite scripture verse about His love is: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) And today, years later, I feel much loved by my children. God keeps His promises.
As a child, my dad would send me to the dictionary if I asked him how to spell a word. I took that principle of how to think with me into motherhood by teaching them how to seek God’s Word to solve problems. As parents we have a choice, we can either think for our children or teach them to think.
My boys will tell you that I can exhibit ‘that look’ when they’ve done something wrong. We laugh about it now. Raising 4 boys to become Godly men had its moments. Satan tempted me many times, especially during the teenage years.
Raising a family is hard work. Because we’re a blended family, the family of origin becomes diluted with many views. When my boys were teenagers, they tested these views and my reactions were not always holy. But God showed me how to trust Him in these situations. That if I was patient, He would use me to grow them into Godly men.
I recall when one of my teenagers made an unwise choice and my punishment was for him to call Barbara Howell and sign up to work at the local soup kitchen. He was not happy with my choice of punishment. He ended up volunteering more than I expected; solicited his brother and developed a fond relationship with Barbara and Vern.
Two favorite scriptures were needed during these teenage years: “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3) and “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6) Today, both of these sons help in the soup kitchens at their local churches. God keeps His promises.
· 4. God taught me how to pray for my children.
Besides loving your children, pray for them. It is an awesome responsibility. God taught me how to pray for my children by praying with them. I recall one time asking one of my sons how I could pray for him and he said, You can ask God to change your mind about letting me have a cell phone.
Now they are young adults and those moments of praying are spent huddled together at an airport praying over their next steps; or sending text message prayers. These days I pray for them in the Spirit. I encourage moms of college bound kids to continue praying for your children as they leave home. The Spiritual Warfare is real for them and they depend upon your prayers. Prayer is a gift you can give to your children and precious time spent with God. I have 2 favorite scripture verses about prayer: “But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:18) and “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6). It is not uncommon for my sons to ask ‘how can I pray for you today mom?’ God keeps His promises.
· 5. God is teaching me how to be a mature mother for my children.
Today, my children live in many parts of the world. And they are always checking in to make sure that Gary and I are doing well. Keith gave you a great illustration this morning about the triangle. If you are married, remember to put God at the top of the triangle with you and your spouse at the other points, each endeavoring to get closer to God. If you are a single parent, do the same, put God at the top and as you endeavor to get closer to God, Your children will also be blessed by your actions.
I didn’t know to do this with my first marriage and I put my children first. But God blessed me with a second chance with Gary. God will honor your actions.
I didn’t know to do this with my first marriage and I put my children first. But God blessed me with a second chance with Gary. God will honor your actions.
I love the opportunity to minister to other women and God gives the mature woman instructions on how to do this in Titus 2:3 “and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;” As older women we should be helping our younger moms. We’ve walked the tough walk. We’ve experienced the Spiritual battles. My adult kids cheer me on and pray about my involvement with the single mom’s ministry here at FBC.
On a recent visit to my sons in Arizona, I got a glimpse of what our 30-40 something age groups need from us. Their church is filled with young couples that told me: “We desperately need your Godly wisdom as we grow our families. We want the older members of our church to be involved in our lives.” I pray that this encourages you to get involved with our young families. God is keeping His promises.
· Some Advice to younger mothers
Aren’t you glad that you’re not Eve, the mother of all the living? The one additional thing I’d like to leave our young moms with is how social media will affect your children.
I was not a cool mom because I turned TV off and guarded their selections. They also had mandatory summer reading assignments, not from school, but from me. I did treat them to ice cream once they finished the book.
Today, TV and other social media deliberately indoctrinate young trusting minds with false teachings. Ben Stein, who today most people know as a humorist and actor, was a former speech writer for Nixon and Ford, has evaluated the scripts of TV and movies. He found 11 characteristics that are negatively shaping our children today. Two of these include: 1. Fathers are stupid and 2. Women who reject motherhood are heroic. Give no opportunity to Satan. A favorite scripture verse to help you is found in 1 Peter 5:8. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
· To our Single Moms
Thank you Pam Moore for trusting me with this precious group of ladies. Mother’s Day can be a mixed bag of emotions for the single parent. Remember that your identity and strength comes from the Lord. Your kids are listening and watching how you maneuver through these difficult days.
10th Avenue North has a song called, I’m Worn. Here are a few of the lyrics:
I'm tired
I'm worn
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes to keep on breathing
I've made mistakes
I've let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed
By the weight of this world
And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left
I want to know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that's dead inside can be reborn
Cause I'm worn
Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that's frail and torn
In a recent single mom’s retreat, we studied Matthew 10:34: ‘Don't think I've come to make life cozy. I've come to cut.’ Yes, God sometimes has to wreck a life in order to save it. Stand on God’s promises – He will not let you down.
Finally, our dear sister, Dottie Pallotta went home this past week to be with her Lord. I asked her daughters to tell me one thing they will always remember about their mom. They told me she was always concerned about their health and taught them to take good care of themselves by exercising and eating correctly. Good advice from a mom that loved her children.
Moms, you are leaving a legacy for your children. Because I stood on God’s promises, and He was faithful, I can delight in reading 3 John 4: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
Thank you.
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