"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson: Proverbs 31:10 & 25-31

 May 14

"Who can find an excellent woman? She is worth far more than rubies...She puts on strength and honor as if they were her clothes. She can laugh at the days that are coming. She speaks wisely. She teaches faithfully. She watches over family matters. She is busy all the time. Her children stand up and call her blessed. Her husband also rises up, and he praises her. He says, “Many women do excellent things. But you are better than all the others.” Charm can fool you. Beauty fades. But a woman who has respect for the Lord should be praised. Give her honor for all that her hands have done. Let everything she has done bring praise to her at the city gate." - Proverbs 31:10 & 25-31, (NIRV)

Mother's Day is an annual holiday held in May on the second Sunday to honor Mothers in body, heart, or spirit. While the exact date may vary, the fact of having a time to say "thank you" to those who have provided mothering love to us is very important. Mothers were, and still are, the unsung heroes in our lives! Proverbs gives a wonderful description of a woman with beautiful mothering qualities. Her virtues include: hard work, love, respect for God, foresight, encouragement, care for others, concern for the poor, and wisdom.

Some might have mistaken ideas that the ideal woman in the Bible is retiring, servile, submissive, and entirely domestic. Not so! The mother praised in Proverbs is also a manufacturer, importer, manager, realtor, farmer, seamstress, leader, upholsterer, and merchant. Her strength and dignity do not come from her amazing achievements, however. They are a result of her love and reverence for God. Often taken for granted, Mothers are our strongest supporter. If you are hurt, sick, unsure, hungry, or insecure- there is no person that helps more than Mom. So take time to celebrate Mother's Day! If you are a mother, pamper yourself. If not, praise and honor Mothers around you joyfully and with gratitude!

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for a Mother's great gifts. Amen. 

Meditation For The Day: No one would exist without a Mother!

Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Spring Renewal Paperback – February 21, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)