This weekend we celebrate Mother’s Day. Lot’s of kids are buying presents, and many of you might be purchasing flowers or gifts.
As I approach Mother’s Day, I always remember how difficult it is to be a mom. I took psychology in college and was horrified by the blame hoisted on mothers. But we all know those early years formulate a child’s mind and temperament, so we cannot overestimate the value of good parenting.
However mothers get no training!
A doctor goes to school for years. First, he or she has premed and then medical school. Then he applies to be an intern for at least a year before he can move on to being a resident. During this time he hones his skills for whatever specialty he or she decides on. A lot of hard work and several years pass before he can offer his services.
Mothers get no training and yet we impact our children far more than a doctor. People used to say, The Hand that Rocks the cradle rules the world.
Deuteronomy 6:7 Gives strong encouragement to both mothers and fathers: You shall teach them [God’s words] diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
My husband and I spent a lot of time considering how we would parent, using both the Scripture and prayer. Even then, we apologized to our oldest daughter since we tried out all our ideas on her. We truly wanted to do a good job.
There’s a passage in Titus that talks about older women teaching younger women how to be good wives and mothers. God knew experienced mothers had guidance to pass along.’
Today we have an experienced mother of three, Angela Breidenbach to give us some guidance from her experience and history.
Mother’s Day: Mother and Daughter Duo: Rhonda and Kaley C0-Authors
As a little girl, I looked up to my mother. I can recall sitting on the couch beside her, her admiring her. She was pretty, smart, and was … a mother. I wanted to be like her. As I grew older and got into my teens, I began to feel like we didn’t communicate. We didn’t have a lot in common, or at least I thought so. There was a communication barrier there I failed to understand.
Now that she is gone, I understand her better because she wrote a lot, and I was able to get a peek inside her mind. And I know I’m a lot like her.
Mother’s Day receives mixed reviews. Some of you may have had great mothers, and you enjoy honoring her. Others had a difficult childhood and may try not to repeat the mistakes your mother made. I remember Mother’s day as painful after I lost my mother. Plus those of you with difficult children may find this season painful.
My heart goes out to all of you who might be hurting.
Today I’d like to give young mothers some guidance on doing well, overcoming obstacles and feeling confident in this important job.
I’m reminded of what Paul said to I Timothy: He obviously believed Timothy’s mother and grandmother impacted his life. “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother, Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.”
My guests are Rhonda Rhea and her daughter Kaley. They are the authors of Turtles in the Road, an inspirational humorous romance that’s just releasing. They are both TV personalities for Christian Television Network’s KNLJ in mid-Missouri. Rhonda is also a nationally-known speaker, humor columnist and author of 11 other books, including Fix-Her-Upper, a soon-releasing nonfiction project coauthored with Beth Duewel. Rhonda is married to her pastor/husband, Richie Rhea, and they have five grown children. Kaley works at Missouri Baptist University and she and Rhonda both live in the St. Louis area.
As Mother’s Day nears I think of the passage in Luke where Jesus told stood over Jerusalem and commented he wanted to gather then under his wings. Luke 13:34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!
That’s such a strong image of mothering, perspective on but if you look at the passage, he’s angry. As he says those words, he must have had strong nurturing feelings toward the nation of Israel, but this nation he founded wasn’t interested in him. How difficult.
Being a mother is not easy. Babies don’t come with an owner’s manual, yet each child is so different so we mothers need wisdom. Obviously, mothers should pray because we need divine guidance. Also, in Titus, God tells older mothers to teach the younger women how to love their husbands and children.
As we near Mother’s Day, I thought it would be fun to talk to some mothers about their experiences a perspective on the hard times and the good times.
My guest is Angela Breidenbach.
Anglea Breidenbach raised six children and is a bestselling Montana author and the host of Lit Up! with Angela Breidenbach, Grace Under Pressure Radio and Historically Speaking. Angela serves nationally as the Christian Author Network’s (CAN) president. With a volume of appearances online, television, stage, and radio Angela loves to share her knowledge to help others.
Angela with Her First Son, courage, a
Angela with Her Blended Family
Angela with Her Two Youngest Sons
[tweetthis]#MothersDay live in the moment[/tweetthis]
[tweetthis]#Mothers value time with your child[/tweetthis]
Mother’s Day sounds like a day to celebrate, but many women don’t. Those who struggle with infertility or someone who just lost her mother or a child may long to ignore the festivities. I’ve even discovered some ladies plan activities, so they keep busy and forget. Maybe your child has strayed. Mother’s day hurts. If that describes you, my heart goes out to you.
As Mother’s Day approaches, I can’t help thinking about the importance of the job. The Apostle Paul spoke to Timothy, his son in the faith: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” As caregivers and nurturers, we have a tremendous impact on our children. Our careful mothering can ensure a child’s emotional and spiritual health while poor mothering can damage both. Scripture exhorts us to teach our children with a balance of love and discipline. Our efforts will lay the foundation for the child’s security and confidence. As it says in Deuteronomy, “teach them (God’s precepts) diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
On the other hand, I’m overwhelmed by the enormity of the job. Each child in your home possesses a complex personality with unique needs. That child expects you to understand him and know his motives. That’s impossible, especially if you have more than one child. Add to that the day to day work of living, meals, overseeing physical growth, and monitoring emotional maturity. As a child grows, you have lessons, ball games, recitals, finals. Life goes by faster and there’s more to do.
I came to motherhood armed to do it right. I’d studied psychology in school and determined to avoid the pitfalls. Whew! I poured myself into the task and gave it my all. Unfortunately, I made plenty of mistakes, and I learned how much I needed God. I’m too small, but my heavenly father gives wisdom when I cry out to him.
Jane Rubietta shares her heart with us. She has just completed Heartbeat of a Mother. Listen in for Mother’s Day encouragement.
Mothers with a prodigal child often detest Mother’s day. Janet Perez Eckles offers hope. Learn more about Janet at www.janetperezeckles.com
How can you help the mother of a prodigal? One mother answers:
I never expected to find myself in this plight. Ever. The news blew my world into tiny shards. I poured my soul into my children. I gave all I had, and then more. When we revealed the bad news, I felt as if I’d released hot air from an overinflated balloon that threatened to pop. Afterwards, I came to church bleeding, bruised, and broken. Fellow believers tried to show they cared but didn’t know how. So what does the mother of a prodigal need?
Please don’t give me a pep talk. My mind shuts down after the first sentence. The energetic words feel like a baseball bat flogging my soul. I crave gentleness. Please don’t tell me to love my child. It’s like tossing my shattered heart into a food processor. I wouldn’t hurt so badly if I didn’t love so deeply. Those words make me feel charged, accused, and sentenced, when I committed no crime.
Please don’t give advice unless I request it. Mothers can’t tell the entire story. Besides I’m too emotionally exhausted to do that anyway. I can’t and won’t explain why recommendations won’t work. Pat answers don’t help. Formulas are a bit unwieldy because my situation is unique.
Please understand my grief. I do have hope, but no guarantees. God is all powerful, but he also gives people freedom to sin. The Lord doesn’t always fix problems this side of heaven, and I’m trying to live now. That’s hard enough.
On the other hand…
Please let me talk. At times I feel like I’m going to explode, and if someone lets me share, it lightens the burden. Once I fill you in on the latest, a hug is great medicine. Offer your love and remind me you’re always ready to listen.
Please pray for me. Assure me you’ll continue to lift our family to God. That touches me deeply.
Please let me cry and encourage me. Rub my back while I weep your shoulder. I feel vulnerable and out of control. Tell me I’m still a valuable part of God’s church, and I have something vital to give. Remind me that I bear no guilt.
As Mother’s Day approaches, the media depicts smiling mothers with adoring kids. But what if it’s not like that for you? Cynthia interviews Angela Breidenbach, whose mother suffered from mental illness. Listen to learn how to encourage the person who is hurting or to get some comfort for your own heartache.
