What Every Mother Likes to See in Her Children

We had a great service this morning at Port Norris Baptist Church! The attendance was good, the spirit sweet, and the message touched hearts.

We looked throught the eyes of a mother as she looks at her children ... and 3 things were mentioned that every mother would like to see.

HER CHILDREN TO HAVE A GOOD CLAIM

"The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice." Prov 23:24-25

There is great rejoicing in the heart of a parent to know that their children are saved! To have the confidence that their claim of salvation is real is a gift whose value is priceless. I've served God as a pastor since 1996 and some of the saddest people I've encountered in my congregations is a mother who has a wayward child. They have a tremendous burden and they shed a multitude of tears because their child has continued to reject Christ and pay a price in life for it. The greatest gift they could receive is to know that their child has received Christ and their life shows this claim to be true.

Every mother would also like to see that ...

HER CHILDREN HAVE A GOOD NAME
"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold."Prov 22:1

This verse speaks of a good testimony or reputation. Our reputation speaks about our life and our associations. What we do with our lives tell a story to people we know and people who know about us. Mothers like to brag on their children ... but not all mothers can. I've never once heard a mother brag on her son or daughter for being the town drunk. Nor have I heard of a mother being proud because her child was in prison. The Mothers Day card we give our mothers does not mean as much as making her proud does.

Finally, every mother would like to see that ...

HER CHILDREN HAVE GOOD AIMS (INTENTIONS)

If you'll take the time to read Luke 15:11-21, you will find the story of the Prodigal Son. At the beginning you will see a young man who had a good name. He came from a good family and he shared in that reputation. But his AIM (or intentions) was not good and when you get to v21 you can see that he no longer had a good name! Though this story is told through the eyes of a father, the Prodigal had a mother also. If she was like most mothers, she knew his heart and his intentions. And the pain she went through while he son was in that far country was probably unbearable! Many times we forget about the pain we put our mother through. A broken heart is much more painful than childbirth.

But words can't describe the joy she experiences when she knows that her children have good intentions and their lives show it to be true! Words cannot describe the joy that come when she KNOWS her children have a good claim, a good name, and good aim! Have we made Mom proud? Have we made God proud?