THE SEVEN CALLINGS OF A GOOD MOTHER

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    When we speak of “callings,” there are two ways to approach the issue.

1.    We can approach the matter from a spiritual perspective. 

a.    Sinners are called by the gospel (2 Thess. 2:14).

b.    When they respond in faithful obedience to the gospel, they are referred to as “the called” (Rom. 1:6).

 

Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ.

 

2.    We can also approach the word “calling” from a secular perspective.  When we do, it refers to a job, a career, or an occupation.

 

B.    The title of our lesson this morning is:  “The 7 Callings of A Good Mother.”

1.    These are seven very important jobs or occupations a mother performs on a regular basis if she is a good mother.

2.    Most of the time, we only think of one of these jobs as spiritual in nature.  But, every one of the jobs we will mention is sanctioned in the pages of God’s holy Word.

 

I.             CHRISTIAN

 

A.    A mother’s first calling is to be a faithful, godly Christian in her home (Matt. 6:33).

 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto thee.

 

1.    This determines what she teaches her children.

2.    This determines the example she sets before her children.

3.    This determines her behaviors in the home.

 

B.    Godly mothers bring forth godly children into the world.

1.    Jocebed gave birth to Moses (See Heb. 11:23).

2.    Hannah was the mother of the great prophet Samuel (1 Sam. 1:20).

3.    Elisabeth brought John the Baptist into the world (Luke 1:57).

4.    Mary was the woman chosen to give birth to the Christ (Luke 2:7).

5.    Eunice was the Jewish mother of the young evangelist Timothy (2 Tim. 1:5).

 

C.    If the mother does not take up this calling in the home, the chances of her children being Christians is almost nil. 

 

 

 

II.          CAREGIVER

 

A.    The second calling is that of a caregiver.

 

B.    She begins this process even when the baby is in her womb.

1.    When conception takes place, there is life in the mother’s womb.  A baby, not just a cluster of cells or a lump of flesh, is present inside the mother.

2.    God put that child in the mother’s womb so the baby could develop properly and live in a healthy manner outside the womb.

3.    Mothers usually try to eat well, exercise, give up old habits, and rest so the baby will properly develop.

4.    Job 31:15; Ps. 139:15; Luke 1:41,44

 

Did not he that made me in the womb make him?  and did not one fashion us in the womb?

 

C.    The roll of a caregiver increases once the child enters into the world:  feeding, bathing, clothing, comforting, and medicating quickly become part of her daily routine.

 

D.    In two examples in Scripture, we see the two extremes of caregiving.

1.    Hannah was blessed by God to have a son named Samuel.

a.    In her prayer for this child, she promised the Lord she would give him to the Lord all the days of his life (1 Sam. 1:11).

b.    She did this once she had provided the proper care for him as an infant (1 Sam. 1:23b-24).

 

…So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.  And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh:  and the child was young.

 

2.    Another caregiver was the mother of Moses. 

a.    Pharaoh had decreed the death of all the Israelite children who were born at one point in time.

b.    When Moses was born, Jocebed, Moses’ mother, had to do all she could do to save her child’s life.  Hebrews 11:23 tells us:  “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.”

 

III.        COACH

 

A.    Definition:  a tutor, the one who carries the student through the final exams.

 

B.    In other words, the mother is a teacher.

 

C.    Twice in the book of Proverbs, children are instructed with these words:  “…forsake not the law of thy mother” (Prov. 1:8: 6:20).

 

D.    Most coaching is done naturally without much intent. 

1.    In other words, it is done almost by instinct from the time a child is an infant. 

2.    Parents often give little thought to the things they actually teach their children.  It just happens day-by-day.

 

E.    In the past, coaching was much more intentional.

1.    Cooking, washing, sewing, gardening, canning, caring for animals, etc.

2.    A good mom today really needs to give herself to intentional parenting.

a.    Cooking

b.    Finances

c.     Relationships

d.    Communication

e.    Problem-solving

f.     Spiritual things:  Bible study, prayer, good works, etc.

 

IV.         COUNSELOR

 

A.    There are times when a mother becomes a counselor for her children.

 

B.    A counselor is one who comes along side another in order to give advice, support, and direction to one struggling with a problem or issue of life.

 

C.    Children go through difficult times in their lives. 

1.    Physical changes, relationships, emotions, priorities, morality

2.    They need someone to help guide and direct them when these struggles arise.

 

D.    Examples from the Bible.

1.    It was Rebekah who advised Jacob to flee from his brother’s wrath (Gen. 27:41-44).

 

…Now therefore my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran; and tarry with him a few days, until thy brother’s fury turn away.

 

2.    In the account of Ruth, we find Naomi taking on the role of a mother to Ruth.  Several times, Naomi gave counsel to this young woman.

a.    She counselled Ruth to continue to abide with the maidens of Boaz (Ruth 2:22).

b.    She counselled Ruth to go to the threshing floor in order to ask Boaz to fulfill the role of kinsman toward her (Ruth 3:3-4).

c.     She counselled her to be patient and wait for Boaz to act (Ruth 3:18).

d.    When Obed was born, Naomi assisted Ruth as a nurse to the child (Ruth 4:16).

V.           CHEERLEADER

 

A.    Another calling of a mother is to be a cheerleader.

 

B.    There are times when a child just needs someone in their corner cheering for them, believing in them, and encouraging them to be the very best that they can be.

 

C.    John 19:25 is a powerful verse in support of this point.

 

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother…

 

1.    Jesus had been condemned as a criminal.

2.    Jesus was mocked by the Jewish leaders.

3.    Jesus was crucified on a cross as one who was cursed.

4.    In all of this, Mary his mother “stood by the cross.”

5.    John 19:26 tells us:  “When Jesus therefore saw his mother…”

a.    He saw and felt her presence.

b.    He saw her love.

c.     He saw her unwavering support for Him as her Son.

 

D.    From t-ball to graduation, mothers are on the sidelines cheering for their children.  If no one else believes in them, mom does.

1.    Example:  Daymond John, entrepreneur, “It takes as much energy to think small as it does to think big.  So let’s dream big and think even bigger.”

2.    Example:  Barbara Corcoran, “You have a wonderful imagination.  You will fill-in the blanks.”

 

VI.         CORRECTION’S OFFICER

 

A.    One of the most difficult callings of a mother is a correction officer.

 

B.    Mothers have to chide, rebuke, and chasten their children from time to time.

 

C.    It is not an easy task, but they know it is for their child’s good.

1.    Proverbs 22:15

 

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction driveth is far from him.

 

2.    Proverbs 23:14

 

Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

 

3.    Hebrews 12:11

 

Now no chastening for the present seemth to be joyous, but grievous:  nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

 

VII.       COMPANION

 

A.    Good moms are companions with their children for life.

 

B.    A companion is a friend, one upon whom another can lean.

 

C.    We have mentioned her before, but Mary, the mother of Jesus was a companion to Him.  We see her with Jesus at several crucial times.

1.    She gave birth to Him (Luke 2:7).

2.    She found Him in the temple at the age of 12 (Luke 2:45-50).

3.    She was the one who encouraged His first miracle in Cana of Galilee (John 2:3-5).

4.    She was at the foot of the cross (John 19:25-27).

5.    She was in the upper room with the room with the apostles and the 120 faithful followers of Jesus (Acts 1:13-15).

 

D.    For some mothers and children, companionship is easy.  For others, they have to put effort into the relationship.  They learn that it is a balance of personalities, beliefs, boundaries, advice, assistance, and conflict resolution.

 

E.    In Proverbs 18:24, the wise man mentions a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  For children, it is a blessing when that friend can be their mother.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    It has been said that “a mother wears many hats,” and most certainly she does.

1.    Sometimes the jobs are done smoothly and flawlessly.

2.    At other times, she wonders how she is going to do just one of them much less all of them.

 

B.    God knew the responsibilities that mothers have.  Thus, he exhorts children to give honor to them.

1.    Exodus 20:12

 

Honour thy father and thy mother…

 

2.    Ephesians 6:2-3

 

Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thy mayest live long on the earth.