May 9, 2008

Hats Off to Moms!

Sharon Jaynes

In Celebration of Mother’s Day, Sharon will have several devotions devoted to moms!

Today’s Truth:

“Her children arise and call her blessed;” (Proverbs 31:28 NIV).

Friend to Friend

Along the coast of North Carolina, seven stately lighthouses stand as sentinel on our rugged shoreline. A mother whose children rise up and call her blessed is much like those stately lighthouses. She has a solid foundation in Jesus Christ. Her walls of faith are constructed to withstand the storms of life, and her primary function is to house the light of Christ. This mother is an immovable constant in her child’s life, a landmark along life’s journey and a guiding light that points her children to the safe harbor of home and eventually out to sea.

My Grandma Edwards was a constant in my life. From my earliest remembrance, she never seemed to change. She was always old, wore funny baggy underwear and an equally unattractive undershirt to match, styled her gray hair in a long braid that wound around her head like a crown, and loved to watch Perry Mason, eat peanut butter crackers and drink coca-cola from chilled glass bottles. She never drove a car or frequented a shopping mall, but spent her days gardening, canning, and sewing.

Mothers and grandmothers no longer spend their days like my Grandma Edwards. They are on the go, with schedules that would make the best air traffic controller’s head spin.

Recently I attended a barbecue dinner with five hundred tourists in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Across from me sat a family of four from Atlanta, Georgia: a dad, mom, and two little girls, ages 8 and 10. We all introduced ourselves and began the friendly banter of “do you know so-an-so” and “what do you do?” At one point in the conversation, someone asked Mary what she “did” in Atlanta? With downcast eyes, she shrugged and said, “Oh, I’m just a mom. I don’t have a job.”

Immediately the hair bristled on the back of my neck and sirens and lights went off in my head. “Just” a mom. How could she say such a thing? I assured Mary that she had the most important job in all creation: to create order out of chaos, ensure the physical, emotional and spiritual well being of her two little girls, and shape the individuals that will contribute to who we are as a community and a nation. I don’t think Mary will ever use the words “just” and “mom” in the same sentence again.

Let’s unpack that little word, “mom.” What exactly is her job description? She’s a wife, mother, friend, housekeeper, interior decorator, laundress, gourmet chef, short order cook, chauffeur, painter, wallpaper hanger, seamstress, nurse, guidance counselor, internal affairs CEO, financial planner, travel agent, administrative assistant, disciplinarian, preacher, teacher, tutor, spiritual advisor, dietician, lecturer, librarian, fashion coordinator, private investigator, cheerleader, manicurist, pedicurist, landscaper, hair stylist, psychologist, plumber, computer programmer, automobile maintenance expert, referee and gift purchasing agent for both sides of the family. She may not get a salary, but the fringe benefits are invaluable: hugs, kisses, and buckets of love. And hopefully, one day a child that will call her blessed.

Even though we change hats from one minute to the next, we can assure our children that our love never changes, our support never tires, and our commitment to being a beacon remains unmoved. In that way, we’re still like my Grandma Edwards.

This Mother’s Day, my hat is off to moms! Thanks for all you do to raise the next generation for Jesus.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for giving me the privilege of being a mom. I pray that you will help me be a beacon that shines the light of Christ to my children as well as the children that I meet through the course of a day. You are the Light of the World and I pray that I will be a shining reflection of that light today.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Now it’s Your Turn

Can you think of a woman who was a shining beacon for Christ in your life? It may or may not be your own mom.

Consider writing a note of thanks to a woman who impacted your life…perhaps a spiritual mother.

What are some ways that you can be a shining beacon in your child’s life or the life of a child that you know? Be specific.

More from the Girlfriends

If you are a mom who needs some encouragement today, you’ll want to read Sharon’s book, Being a Great Mom-Raising Great Kids. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. And you will know that you have one of the most important jobs on earth.

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