Daughter: Mom, what’s it like to have the greatest daughter in the world? Mother: I don’t know dear, you’d have to ask Grandma.
Two children ordered their mother to stay in bed one Mother’s Day morning. As she lay there looking forward to breakfast in bed, the smell of bacon floated up from the kitchen. But after a good long wait she finally went downstairs to investigate. She found them both sitting at the table eating bacon and eggs. “As a surprise for Mother’s Day,” one explained, “We decided to make our own breakfast.”
Motherhood: The amazing ability to hear a sneeze through 3 closed doors in the middle of the night, three bedrooms away… while Daddy snores next to you with the TV still on….
Why don’t they have Mother’s Day sales? Because Mothers are priceless.
I was told I should probably talk to you this morning about – how in Biblical times, women got on the donkey to go to their market, or walked there and back, went to the well daily to draw water out, went to the river to wash all the clothes, cooked all the meals for the family, ground the wheat to make their bread, kept the livestock and especially the chickens for their eggs, made all the clothes and raised the kids, etc, etc…I decided, probably “NOT!”
So, I’ve thought about it. It should be something a little bit “practical, helpful.” …Encouraging, would be good. “Rooted in the heart of God” would even be better… so I was lead to the scripture that says:
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” That’s a good strong Lutheran-kind-of-verse!
Mother’s, if you are in Christ Jesus, you ought to have “no fear of condemnation.” You stand in righteousness and are loved by God as his daughter because of your baptism and because of Jesus’ work on your behalf on the cross.
Mothers, even though you may “feel” you are…condemned “by some,” they DO NOT count…none of ‘em. …Because ultimately ONLY GOD COUNTS…
You are not condemned if your home should become a little disheveled or a even “a complete mess.” Remember, we do not believe in “works righteousness.”
You are not condemned by your personal sins, remember Jesus died for YOU!
You are not condemned by the knowledge of how easy it is for you to love “one child” over another…it all hopefully evens out in the end…
You are not condemned – even though you may feel like it – when you read over and over – about other’s “perfect parenting moments” on Facebook.
You are not condemned by your inability to cook gourmet meals every night.
You are not condemned because your kids are ‘normal’ or are “NOT normal,” whatever “normal” means…
You are not condemned because you are divorced and managing alone…or, if you were never married.
You are not condemned by your desire to be alone, away from the kids, for a time, every-single-day.
You are not condemned by your body which may not be what it once was.
You are not condemned by your failures …because we all fail…and fall short.
You are not condemned by your “rebellious children.” Just ask my mom!
You are not condemned by the frustration of having to scrape Mac and Cheese off the kitchen floor, again! Spills happen…as does frustration!
You are not condemned by all the fears and tears which flirt with your sanity and take you to the point of despair…
You are not condemned by not being able to throw “the perfect birthday party of the year” for your kids.
You are not condemned for not feeding your kids meals that did not come from “Whole Foods Stores.”
You are not condemned because you cannot afford to take your kids on “exciting new and novel vacations.”
You are not condemned for NOT living up to the standards of “your Mother” or “Mother-in-law” for that matter…they are not you!
You are not condemned by the stares of those who have no kids when yours “erupt into volcanic screams” and “temper tantrums” in public places.
Women of the church, (I speak to you one and all) even though you may feel condemned by others, if you are in Christ Jesus, you are NOT condemned.
This is the reality.
You are NOT condemned, because if you are in Christ Jesus, your identity as a sinner is laid before our most Holy God…and your righteousness is found in Christ alone. Your participation in the weekly communion, frees you from your sins. As does, Holy Absolution. You are indeed forgiven.
No one can condemn you, accept you yourself…and don’t go there.
Love yourself, even as God loves you…because HE DOES YOU KNOW…even more than you can ever realize!
Happy Mother’s Day, Moms! Amen!