The Champions Spirit
Volume 68, Issue 18
May 10, 2009
In This Issue
Mother!
What do you call her? Mom? Mama? Mother?
Perhaps you use a combination. Maybe you have your own special “pet name” and term of endearment for her. Whatever word or words you choose to use for the woman who went through the “valley of the shadow of death” to give you the gift of life, you are blessed by her sacrifice. If nothing else, you are because of her.
The gift of life is an indescribable blessing. However, for many of us, that was only the beginning of the blessings we received from her. For many, she was one of our first teachers of God as she shared with us those wonderful stories of the Bible, often using an animated voice that made the characters come to life in our minds. She taught us of the Lord by the spiritual songs sung softly to us as a lullaby in the long hours of the middle of the night. She demonstrated the power of patience and grace (and yes, discipline!) as we tested her through some untoward attitude or action.
Certainly these are only a few of the blessings brought to us by that one who is very precious to us...that one honored throughout our nation today...that one so precious to us—to her we say, God bless you...Mother!
—Larry Keele
FAMILY MATTERS...
“Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also...” (Prov. 31:28)
Mother’s Day is a national holiday established years ago, yet it does fit with a biblical principle of “honor your father and mother.” We happily honor our mothers and the other mothers who are in our presence today!
Fireproof, the movie will follow a free dinner and a discussion on Internet Safety by Joe Brumfield of Harding University. Sunday we will be following our “Fifth Sunday” schedule with Joe again bringing us the appropriate messages. This is a great opportunity to make an impact on our community in a vital area of life. Be sure and take some of the flyers with you. Invite your friends and neighbors! Don’t let the opportunity pass you up!
Thanks to those who worked in various ways during our Tuesday Night Together! We especially extend our thanks to Marie Fowler for the great meal!
The closing program for Little Champs will be this Thursday evening at 7 p.m. I would love to see the auditorium filled, not only with the parents, but with our members who will be thrilled to see this great work firsthand.
Parting Thought: “Working mother?” Is there any other kind?
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
Jeremy's Junction
Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin....
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body....
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.
May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life.
—Copied and Adapted
John's Jogs
ON MOTHER’S DAY it is appropriate to honor our mothers and remember what they do for us. Mothers are our first caregivers, our first teachers, and our first love. Most of us look to them as examples of ideals we cherish. Mother’s teach children their greatest lessons:
A mother teaches her infant love. A mother’s heart is her child’s classroom. As a mother nurtures her child from the cradle she demonstrates her love. Mothering and love are almost synonymous. Maternal love is a reflection of God’s design in our world. Mother’s love is shown in different ways. They sing lullabies to their babies, speak to them in loving tones, gently and tenderly provide for all the child’s needs. In response, the child learns to love its mother and others. Research has proved that babies who are fondled and loved by mothers develop better in all ways than those who are denied love.
A mother teaches her child gentleness and kindness. The child learns kindness by the example of the mother. Not only are needs provided for, but also all is done in a gentle and kind manner that communicates her care.
A mother teaches her child to pray. We learn the habit of prayer from our mothers. Many began as our mother’s tucked us into bed with “Now I lay me down to sleep” How many of you can finish the prayer? It shows how well we have been taught by mothers.
A mother teaches her child purity and honesty. By word and example mothers attempt to guard their children from all that defiles and makes them impure. Integrity and honesty are not just taught, they are instilled by living examples. A mother teaches children to be honest and to guard their lips from falsehood.
A mother teaches her child courage and faith. A wise and good mother teaches her child to trust in God and to be aware of His presence. In times of fear or need, the testimony of her faith gives strength and assurance to her child.
A mother teaches her child unselfishness and sharing. The little child is taught to share with others especially with brothers and sisters. Mothers are referees who teach their children to share and always to give the larger or better share to the other. Sharing is an important preparation for life.
The faithful mother teaches by word and example the great principles of right living. She molds the character of the child. From the cradle she fashions the crown worn by each of her children. She is also multiplying the stars she will wear in her eternal crown. Let us honor and Praise our mothers!!!