A few days ago people payed tribute to mothers across the country on Mother's Day, which has been a tradition for more than a century. It is an opportunity to honor the most important women in your life. Some of these women have done an amazing job of raising children. Some are currently meeting that challenge in today's culture. I hope you joined in the recent celebration to bless the special women in your life. When I think of mothers, I am reminded of my mother who passed away 8 years ago and my mother-in-law who passed away last year. For the first time, I don't have to think of what special thing I have to come up with for Mother's Day....buying flowers or candy, or taking them out to lunch or dinner. It gives me an empty feeling, but at the same time I don't have the pressure of remembering this special day. Looking back I remember that I tried to make everyday a special day, to the best of my ability. I hope that it was appreciated.
Sometimes we get hung up on these days, rather than being good to each other everyday. And while mothers have a big responsibility of raising children to become good citizens...all women should feel important, whether they are mothers or not. They all have an important role in society. God has blessed them all. They should feel confident that they have a God-ordained role.
Unfortunately, too many women lack self-confidence. They have a poor self-image and the fear that they somehow don't measure up. Americans spend 7 to 10 billion dollars annually on beauty products (which I think it is a good think-we all want to look our best) to enhance their physical appearance. Many self-help books are designed to help us 'improve' ourselves, and yet with all those resources, it doesn't mean that we actually know who we are. As women we struggle with self-perception...how we look, how much we weigh, what titles we hold--wife, mother, worker, business owner....these titles define us. A poor self image causes us to try to hide behind work, having the perfect kids, the perfect house, the perfect marriage etc etc....We have a desire to compare ourselves to others or worry what others think of us.We keep looking at superficial things, people's possessions or looks. If we spend all of our time comparing ourselves to others, or trying to meet other people's expectations of us, we will NOT be the person that GOD has created us to be. We miss the opportunity of being used in a unique way.
We must use our God given talents, gifts and abilities so they will not be wasted. We need to overcome a poor self-image so we can serve God faithfully with everything he has created us to be. God wants us all to be blessed and be a blessing to others, not just the women who are mothers.
We all have a responsibility to be good role models. Proverbs 31:25-26 says: The woman is a woman of strength and dignity, and has no fear of old age. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says.
Whether you are a mother or not I hope you celebrated a great Mother's Day. Celebrate the woman that God made you to be, blessed and a blessing for others.
Sometimes we get hung up on these days, rather than being good to each other everyday. And while mothers have a big responsibility of raising children to become good citizens...all women should feel important, whether they are mothers or not. They all have an important role in society. God has blessed them all. They should feel confident that they have a God-ordained role.
Unfortunately, too many women lack self-confidence. They have a poor self-image and the fear that they somehow don't measure up. Americans spend 7 to 10 billion dollars annually on beauty products (which I think it is a good think-we all want to look our best) to enhance their physical appearance. Many self-help books are designed to help us 'improve' ourselves, and yet with all those resources, it doesn't mean that we actually know who we are. As women we struggle with self-perception...how we look, how much we weigh, what titles we hold--wife, mother, worker, business owner....these titles define us. A poor self image causes us to try to hide behind work, having the perfect kids, the perfect house, the perfect marriage etc etc....We have a desire to compare ourselves to others or worry what others think of us.We keep looking at superficial things, people's possessions or looks. If we spend all of our time comparing ourselves to others, or trying to meet other people's expectations of us, we will NOT be the person that GOD has created us to be. We miss the opportunity of being used in a unique way.
We must use our God given talents, gifts and abilities so they will not be wasted. We need to overcome a poor self-image so we can serve God faithfully with everything he has created us to be. God wants us all to be blessed and be a blessing to others, not just the women who are mothers.
We all have a responsibility to be good role models. Proverbs 31:25-26 says: The woman is a woman of strength and dignity, and has no fear of old age. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says.
Whether you are a mother or not I hope you celebrated a great Mother's Day. Celebrate the woman that God made you to be, blessed and a blessing for others.
