God bless you, Moms and Grandmas! Happy Mothers’ Day.

I just watched a series of videos of our young American soldiers coming home – surprising their moms, who didn’t know they were there.  I’ve seen a few of those, and they always make me cry.  Thank God for moms.  Thank God for you women.  Thank God for wives.  The videos I just mentioned make it so clear how deeply moms feel for their children, especially when they’ve been in harm’s way for so long.  Happy Mother’s Day, moms.  

I lost my mom in 1993 and how I miss her. She was way too young, only 65, and I was way too young (only 40) to not have my mom in my life. I lost my dad when I was 30 and lost our first son when I was 29. You never know how long you will have close family, so love them all now, even if you think you see flaws in your mom. We’re all fractured people, and you may never know all the situations your mom had to work through in life. If you see your mom in bad light for some reason – forgive. Love. Honor her – anyway. If you adore your mom – be sure to tell her often. 

So I always delight to see people of all ages loving and respecting their mom. My wife’s wonderful mom was 90 when she died last year (2020), and her dad died suddenly at age 95 before that. Of course I always called them Mom and Dad too. I felt a special closeness to her mom when some years ago, I opened up and said, “I don’t have my own mom anymore, and haven’t for a long time. I’ve been calling you ‘mom’ – but could I really see you as my Mom?”   She hugged me and said “of course”.  

One pet peeve I have to mention: Most of us older people (let’s say those of us over 55) still prefer to hear your voices rather than get your text. We like to see you in person from time to time. We love feeling your hugs and assurance we mean something to you, our kids. Trust me on this. TALK to your mom more often. Sit down and enjoy her conversation. Go for a walk with her. Be there. I’ve often thought that many of the under-55’s would even text GOD – instead of talking with him – if they could! Talk with your mom, folks. Talk. 

Mothers, know your role is so huge in shaping all of humanity and even world history! So many of you nowadays soldier on in “single-parent homes” due to an absent husband, the father of your children – but you keep doing what you have to do to provide for the children in your care. So many of you have to get up and go to work early in the morning, or late into the day, but you do it for the deep love you feel. That’s not going unnoticed, moms. And so many of you are the teachers of things Biblical to your sons and daughters. In the coming final years before Christ returns, you moms can play a strong role of solid faith to your adult children and your grandchildren. I count on it. 

I remember my own mom, as she went through the divorce (I was 12) and we were so poor. We didn’t own a washer/dryer and money was always tight. Poor mom worked hard all day and then had to do the laundry, shopping, cooking – and though we all certainly did try to help, I could see her carrying the load in those years especially. How I miss her. But she never lost her focus on her Lord and Master Jesus Christ. 

I look at my own wife when she’s around our children. She never seems to be thinking of her own needs. Never. Or so it seems to me. She’s always trying to be sure everything is ready and running smoothly for everyone else. She’s constantly trying to please the kids, to please me, to please guests. I know she has her own issues, but you’d never know. And as special as she is to me, I know this would be said by many of you of your moms or your wives out there. God bless you moms and wives out there. 

Timothy of the Bible was raised to love and obey God and know his word due to the faith, example and diligence of his mom and grandma (2 Timothy 1:5), mentioned by name in scripture: Grandma Lois and his mom – Eunice. Yes, you grandmas can have a HUGE impact even on the grandkids! I see it all the time as I watch my wife’s impact on our grandchildren here.  

Women were also made in the image of God and then Elohim gave both the man and the woman dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:27-28). I’ve always personally believed that God divided his qualities equally into the male and into the female. God is neither male or female – but is both, I believe. We call him Father, true. But if both male and female are in his image, I believe women will feel very, very comfortable around our heavenly Father when you women someday meet Him “in person”. 1 John 3:1-3 clearly states, we shall see him as He is sometime. 

Click on “Continue reading” to read what God says about moms and women generally – and to read of some women I feel were great moms in the Bible.

God’s laws were very clear. We are to honor our father AND our mother, the 5^th commandment (Exodus 20:12). We’re not told to honor mom “IF” she’s worthy of honor. We’re told to honor her, period. No preconditions, just like dads were to be honored. We are not to forsake the law of our mother (Proverbs 1:8).  

I hate jokes about aging moms or mothers-in-law or the aged generally. “…Do NOT despise your mother when she is old” (Proverbs 23:22). God commands us all to behave in such a way that moms can be glad when they think of us (Prov 23:25). There was no tolerance for someone who struck his mom or his dad (Exodus 21:15) or who cursed his mom (v. 17).  

Some of the great men in the Bible, like Josiah, were great because they had great moms. His dad was wicked. But his mom Jedidah is mentioned by name, undoubtedly because she had a huge hand in shaping this great king of Judah (2 Kings 22:1).  

And how about Jochebed, the mother of Aaron, Miriam and Moses. Her faith in hiding Moses and then putting him in God’s hands – only to be drawn out of the water by Pharaoh’s daughter herself, wow. And then Miriam played a big hand in directing the Princess to a mom who could nurse the baby – Moses’ own mom. What faith, what emotions must have been tugging at their hearts. God praise you moms!  

And Mary, the mother of Yeshua (Jesus). As awesome as it was to be called to be and do what she was called to be, there were many painful moments in her life. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for a young virgin to be told she was pregnant by God’s Spirit and was going to give birth to the son of God. And then all the derision and mocking whispers she endured. And then at the end, she was right there with her boy, with her Savior, as he hung on the cross (John 19:25-27). His Son kindly pointed her to his best friend John (whose name means “Gift of God”) who then took her home to spare her witnessing the gruesome end. And then after her Son’s resurrection, she was among the early disciples who gathered together as one body to pray and to worship (Acts 1:14). What an inspiration she must have been to the early congregation. 

I love Sarah, our princess. She found it amusing to think of her husband being able to give her “pleasure” at her old age, to conceive a child (Genesis 18:12). How human this great woman of faith was, as well. She tried to work out the promised child when one was not forthcoming for many years by offering her servant girl Hagar to Abraham to be a wife through which they could have a child. But then there were sparks of trouble from that and Sarah held her ground and demanded Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. And God backed up Sarah! See Genesis 21:9-13.  

Then there’s Rebekah, mother of Jacob and Esau. She felt like two whole nations were fighting in her womb, and indeed that was prophetic. What love she had for Jacob, and once Jacob had to leave, it is doubtful that Rebekah ever saw her beloved son again. As far as I can tell, she certainly never got to see her grandchildren. Never. Having a favorite son didn’t work out well. But someday she will be reunited with Jacob and all his family and all her grandchildren and great-great-great grandkids. What a reunion that will be as we all honor her too. 

I gave a 2-part sermon about five women mentioned in Yeshua’s genealogy, and I recommend you hear those. Just type in “Five Women” in the Search bar.  One of them was Bathsheba. Her name means “Daughter of the Covenant”. She reminds us that in spite of David’s sin with her (David was the instigator and gets the blame; nowhere does scripture denounce her), God has a merciful way of working things out. In spite of their sin – and yes, they both sinned – God chose their son Solomon who ruled in peace and became part of the Messianic line leading to our Savior. In spite of a tough start, in spite of terrible sin, our God used this woman to mother the wisest man who ever lived and be part of the line to Yeshua himself.

And I love Hannah’s story. She was Samuel’s mom. Read her story in 1 Samuel 1-2. She pleaded with God for a son so fervently that the high priest thought she was drunk. God granted her wishes and she offered her son as an assistant to the priest and one of the greatest judges and prophets of all time was born. No doubt Hannah – whose name means “Grace” – played a HUGE part in directing the course for the young Samuel’s life. I loved how she would make him little robe each year (1 Samuel 2:19).  

Rahab is a favorite mom for me too. She was a despised Canaanite, a cursed race God had singled out to be moved out of the land. Plus she was a prostitute on top of all that. So why would I like Rahab? Because in spite of all her baggage, she was able to put all that behind her and move on - - an inspiring example for all of us, especially when we get down and feel our life is ruined. She had faith in the one true God of Israel, adopted Israel as her own country and God made her a direct ancestress of the line resulting in King David and our Messiah.

Her son was Obed, and her great great-grandson was David.  So no matter how terrible your life of sin has been til now, remember Rahab.  Have faith in the one true God, turn your life over to him and He can turn everything around for you.  I see her as a loving, wonderful woman.  One who has been forgiven much, loves much.  Remember? The story is in Luke 7:47 but read it all.  Our Savior said that.  One who has been forgiven much and accepts that forgiveness and moves on – like Rahab (and frankly all of us!) did, becomes more human, more deep-feeling and understands life more.  They are deeper people.  Rahab is such an inspiration to me and inspires me that God can make a blessed future for you, for everyone, even for me.

There are many more we can talk about.  But moms, grandmas and wives -- thank GOD for you, for all of you.  You are the HEART of most households.  Yes, dads have a vital role to play too, but it’s just not quite a home without Mom in the picture.  We love you moms.  Continue to shape and mold and love those in your care.  And thank you, thank you for your example, your love, your devotion and for all you do and have done to make our homes a better place to live.  

God bless you, moms and grandmas, wives, aunts – and really ALL of you women. I’m SO thankful for all the women in our lives. Thank you, ladies.