Introduction: Mothers' day was started by Anna M. Jarvis (1864-1948). In 1908 she organized the first Mothers' Day to be observed in her hometown of Grafton, West Virginia. From there it spread to Philadelphia and other cities, and in only six years it was so popular that President Woodrow Wilson was authorized by Congress to proclaim an annual national Mothers' Day.

Women are under a lot of stress. They are exhorted to be serious, to demand respect as captains of industry, and simultaneously encouraged to have face lifts, reconstructive surgery, wear seductive perfume and be as glamorous as movie stars. They are constantly being told to lose weight, to exercise, to diet, to dress for success, to take pills for bone loss and menopause, to stay forever young and beautiful. They are expected to attend all PTA meetings, to drive their kids all over town for sports and after-school activities, yet they must also get all the shopping done, and have supper on the table at 5:30 every night, as well as vacuuming carpets, scrubbing bathtubs, washing laundry and taking out the garbage. On top of that the church wants her to teach Sunday School, direct Vacation Bible School, help in the Nursery, sing in the choir and cook for Family Night Supper. In her spare time she should do community volunteer work and gardening. She is expected to be a combination of Miss America, Madonna, Laura Bush, Oprah Winfrey, Kay Arthur, Martha Stewart and Mother Teresa.

I. We ought to appreciate our mothers and wives.

Gen 2:18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
Prov 18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
Prov 31:10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Prov 31:11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

Quotes from the Famous:

George Washington: "The greatest teacher I ever had was my mother." Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Men are what their mothers make them."

Abraham Lincoln: "All that I am and all that I ever hope to be I owe to my mother...No man is poor when he has a godly mother."

Henry Ward Beecher: "The mother's heart is the children's classroom...what the mother sings to the cradle, goes all the way to the grave."

Winston Churchill: "If we want to change our nation, begin by enlisting the mothers."

Andrew Jackson: "The memory of my mother and her teachings were the only capital I had to start life with, and on that capital I have made my way."

D. L. Moody: "All that is good in my life, has come from her; and I have never come near Northfiled (where his mother lived) that I have not gotten anxious to reach home, that I might see my mother."

When French sculpter Frederic Bartholdy created the Statue of Liberty, he molded the face of the statue after the face of his own mother.

II. We ought to listen to our wives and mothers.

Prov 1:8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
Prov 1:9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain (a beautiful gold chain) to adorn your neck.

A. Mothers and wives are God-given sources of advice and guidance in life. Most animals are born with instincts about how to live. Bees and ants come right out of the egg and start working. Baby crocodiles head for the river and start looking for tasty fish to eat. Snakes know how to slither. Colts know how to run, as soon as they get strong enough for it. Not so humans. We need to be taught almost everything. We need to be taught to be responsible, to be clean and neat, to handle our money wisely, to run with the right crowd, to set life goals, and so on. You can learn much from your mother and father. Listen to Proverbs again:

Prov 1:8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
Prov 1:9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain (a beautiful gold chain) to adorn your neck.

A. Pilate's wife gave him good advice he should have taken (Matt. 27:19)

"When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him."

B. There was an obnoxious foolish man (Nabal) who should have listened to his wife, and would have been killed except for his wife's wisdom (I Sam. 25:1-35). Read it all. Not only did Abigail's wisdom save her husband's life, but her advice was a blessing to David.

C. Behind most successful men stand strong and helpful women. Where would Billy Graham have been without his Ruth? Where would George Bush Sr. or Jr. be without Barbara or Laura? Where would YOU be without your good wife or mother who encouraged you, listened to you, advised you and helped you all along the way? Listen to some of these quotes I found on the internet from men appreciating their wives....

Conclusion: We ought to Reward and Praise our wives and mothers. Not only is a good woman praised by her own works, but that her children and her husband should rise up and praise her.

Prov 31:28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
Prov 31:29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

Today is Mothers' Day. Let's make a big deal out of it. Let's stand up as a mark of honor. Let's tell our mothers and wives how much we admire them, and how much we appreciate all they have done for us. We should praise our mothers often and well, while we still have the chance. There are many in the congregation today whose mothers have died and are in heaven. You would like to hold them in your arms, and kiss them, and tell them you love them, but your chance to do that is gone. Be kind to your mother or wife. Let her know you love her and appreciate her.

There is a poem that we often read about children, which is entitled: "Children Learn What They Live." Today I would like to edit it a little bit, and dedicate it to the mothers and wives in our congregation:

WOMEN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE...

If a woman lives with criticism, she learns to condemn.
If a woman lives with hostility, she learns to fight.
If a woman lives with ridicule, she learns to be shy.
If a woman lives with shame, she learns to feel guilty.
If a woman lives with tolerance, she learns to be patient.
If a woman lives with encouragement, she learns confidence.
If a woman lives with praise, she learns to appreciate.
If a woman lives with fairness, she learns justice.
If a woman lives with security, she learns to have faith.
If a woman lives with approval, she leanrs to like herself.
If a woman lives with acceptance and friendship, she learns to find love in the world.

May God help each of us to praise and appreciate our wives and our mothers. Amen.