Proverbs 6:20-21 “My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck.”
Anna M. Jarvis (1864-1948) first suggested the national observance of an annual day honoring all mothers because she had loved her own mother so dearly. At a memorial service for her mother on May 10, 1908, Miss Jarvis gave a carnation (her mother’s favorite flower) to each person who attended. Within the next few years, the idea of a day to honor mothers gained popularity, and Mother’s Day was observed in a number of large cities in the U.S.
On May 9, 1914, by an act of Congress, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. He established the day as a time for “public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” By then it had become customary to wear white carnations to honor departed mothers and red to honor the living, a custom that continues to this day.
Here, before Anna Jarvis or Woodrow Wilson, Solomon said, “Do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” God’s Word tells us that our mother’s instruction is important to us… Scripture tells us not to forsake her teaching. This word forsake means “to cast off or reject.” Like casting a fishing line or throwing out the garbage, we are not to easily cast off the heartfelt biblical instruction of a mother. God’s Word is his law and the word here for teaching in Hebrew is “towrah.” Its where we get the English word Torah. This word means instruction or direction either human or divine. God’s Word tells us that our mother’s instruction from the Word… we need to hold fast to and not forsake. In essence Solomon is saying, don’t let your mother’s instruction go in one ear and out the other. Moms, from this pastors heart know, whether you’re a spiritual mom, adoptive mom, or a biological mom we need you.
Now I know being a mom is hard work, but no one deserves a special day all to herself more than you, mom. A cartoon showed a psychologist talking to his patient: “Let’s see,” he said, “You spend 50 percent of your energy on your job, 50 percent on your husband and 50 percent on your children. I think I see your problem.”
This world needs you. Your children need you. And lastly, the Lord loves you and is proud of you. Please, for all our sake keep up the prayers, keep loving Jesus… KEEP BEING A MOTHER… in Jesus’ name.
By His Spirit,
Pastor Bill