Happy Mother's Day

As I was graduating from Beeson Divinity School, they held a luncheon to recognize all the seniors who were graduating.  We could invite a couple of guest to attend the luncheon.  I invited my wife, Pam and my mother to attend with me.  We had a great meal and good conversation with fellow graduates.  Before the guest speaker was introduced,  we went around the room introducing ourselves and our guests that came with us.  This caused great angst for me.  I love public speaking, but internally I freeze when introducing guest.  I rehearse my thoughts and they rush out to quickly. 

My table is next and I am focused on making sure that I introduce my wife, Pam first.  She has won the champion sacrifice of raising 5 of our kids during that last 4 years of study, while I worked 2 part time jobs and attended school full time.  I stand, “My name is Greg Rogers, I am from Plant City, Florida.  I would like to introduce my wife, Pam. And my other wife, Jean?????”  Laughter throughout the room.  I blurted out, “I mean my MOM, Jean Pate.”  I don’t think I heard any other comments from the speaker….I just rehearsed my faux pa.  

The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth." Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. The women living there said, "Naomi has a son!" And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.  Ruth 4:14-17

When Naomi returned to Bethlehem she changed the way she was to be introduced.  She should be called Mara meaning bitter, for her husband and 2 sons had died while living in Moab.  She had no grandchildren or possibilities of any more children.  Only Ruth, a foreign-born daughter-in-law was with her.

But now, Ruth had been redeemed according to their customs by a relative, who became her husband.  They gave birth to Obed (whose name means servant worship) who was the grandfather of King David.

Some thoughts to be gleaned from this passage

1.      Children can bring heartache to moms (and dads).  The biggest heartache is the death of a child before the parent passes.  Naomi lost her husband and both of her boys before they had children.  Comfort those Mothers who have felt the bitterness of loosing a child in death.  Other heartaches come from children making poor choices in life that leave them in broken families, addictions and personal turmoil.  There is hope says Naomi, “there is still a kinsman-redeemer…Jesus”.

2.      Grandchildren can bring renewed life to the grandparents.  The blessing the women gave to Naomi is that Obed would renew her youth.  Joy is like a medicine.  Watch how grandparents faces and attitudes light up when the grandchildren approach.  There is a side note…once a mom- always a mom.  They will still be giving you advice on how the young parents should be raising their child from foods to eat, how to discipline, and healthy living.  Some have withheld visiting their parents because of potential arguments over these types of issues.  Young parents, get over it.  Verbally establish some boundaries of conversations and then let it slide.  Your kids need access to the grandparents…Could you imagine Ruth keeping Obed away from Naomi?

3.      Our verse also says that children are to sustain parents in their old age.  At one time, like during The Walton’s, it was very common for 3 generations to live in the same household or at least in the same cluster of homes.  But today, families just don’t live near each other, mainly because of career choices.  There are few models that children watch to show how we are to nurture aging parents.  So we have a rise in businesses like “Visiting Angels”.  The point is that children will one day bear the responsibility of caring for parents.  This is right and this is good.

4.      Finally, our verse says of Ruth, the daughter-in-law, that she is the one who loves you.  Ruth, as Naomi’s child by marriage was known (introduced) as the one who loves Naomi.  Ruth had declared her love to Naomi, and she also reflected that love in her actions.  A famous phrase around our home is that “your life follows your words”. So, we children need to tell our Moms (and Dads) that we love them.  We also, need to show them that we love them.  Would others introduce you in relationship to your parents as “the one who loves them”?

Make sure you communicate appreciation to your mom on this Mother’s Day.  But also look for other moms who may need that encouragement that there is still hope and strength to make it through each day.

Pastor Greg….I would like you to meet my Mom…she is the greatest!