Mother’s Day sermons are unique. For over 40 years, I preached a sermon every Mother’s Day, with only a few exceptions. For the last dozen years, I have “preached” my Mother’s Day sermons by posting sermons to my website, blogging, or through social media and videos. Preparing the “just right” sermon is a challenge, a bit of a mystery, and an opportunity to pioneer and blaze new trails. On Mother’s Day, the church expects the sermon to say something about mothers. Today, I do not have a preaching appointment, but I want to say something about mothers.
Of all of the characteristics that mothers exhibit, one less often mentioned is faithfulness. It is assumed that mothers will be faithful. The mother who is unfaithful to her children is an enigma. She makes the news. Something is wrong. Everyone wants to know, how can it be?
We use the word faithful to describe friends, church leaders, ministers, missionaries, dogs and cars. We value faithfulness. Today I am thinking about the connection between mothers and faithfulness. Many of us have been blessed by a mother who never gave up on us. The writer of the book of Hebrews says that faithfulness comes from endurance and keeping one’s eyes set on the goal, from perseverance and keeping one’s eyes on Jesus. Other factors contribute to faithfulness, but today I am thinking of these two truths as they relate to mothers and as they relate to our lives in Christ. Our ability to endure and persevere depends on what and who we keep our eyes focused on. On Mother’s Day we are grateful for mothers who kept their eyes on the goal and modeled endurance and perseverance for us. We honor them. I am grateful that my mother taught me to glorify God.
Contemplating mothers and faithfulness reminds me of one more truth: if your mother could say to you what is on her heart today, among the things that she would most want to mention is this: Be Faithful!