· Though not everyone is a mother, everyone has a mother. They are important to recognize them because they are necessary.
· Proverbs 31 packages marriage and motherhood together. But, we acknowledge that not all wives are mothers—some by their own choice and others by God’s choice. But to those whom God has called to motherhood, we exhort you to reach for the standard presented in Proverbs 31.
· Likewise, we acknowledge that not all mothers are wives. Some women face the great task of parenting alone—for whatever choices or reasons, we see your strength in single-parent roles and exhort you to reach for the standard presented in Proverbs 31.
· We acknowledge that not all mothers have borne their own children. But from you we better understand the accepting nature of God’s loving adoption and exhort you also to reach for the standard presented in Proverbs 31.
· We acknowledge that not all mothers are good and loving. Some mothers are abusive, absent or selfish. It is difficult on Mother’s Day to honor those who have not been honorable. To you whose life is marked like this, we exhort you to reach for the standard presented in Proverbs 31.
o To you, women, we say, “break the cycle”. The pattern of Proverbs 31 will guide you to become a virtuous woman of God and do better than was done to you, whether as wife, mother or any other womanly calling God places on your life.
o To you, men, we say “build up your women”. Even as your mother, your spouse or your daughters, empower them to become a Proverbs 31 woman. The best thing you can do for your children is to invest in your wife.
· To everyone today, regardless of your relationship with your mother, be she living or deceased, present or distant, the good, the bad or the ugly: we must admit that we are who we are because of our mothers.
o Sometimes we are strong because of her constant love and care.
o Sometimes we are strong because we’ve had much to overcome
o Sometimes her example pointed us to God
o Sometimes her example left us no option but to turn to God
· So, on this day, we are pray for greater awareness of God’s ideal for mothers and we dignify those women that have done their very best, bringing us to our place in life.
· May God’s blessing be on you.