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Lewis Memorial
05-10-09 Mother’s Day
“It Only Takes One!”
Acts 16: 9-15


Today is Mother’s Day. Did you that it became a nationally observed day in America in 1914? But mothers have been honored and adored much longer then that! I read a magazine article once that said if a mother got paid the average salary for all the jobs she did in the home – day care, maid, cook, etc. – she should be paid around $130,000 a year! I’m pretty sure that did not include home nurse or child psychologist.

Many of us have had wonderful relationships with our mothers, while some others may have not. But when I think of the qualities of a Godly woman, or a good wife, or a good mother I think about Proverbs 31: 10-31. Listen to these characteristics that make up a good mother and/ or wife from The Message: “A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She's skilled in the crafts of home and diligent in homemaking. She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile. When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: "Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!" Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-GOD. Give her everything she deserves! Drape her life with praises.” Good stuff! A Godly mother, wife, woman takes time to be holy!

I believe Lydia must have been a woman like this. Study of scripture tells us that Lydia was Paul’s 1st convert in Europe. She was probably a traveling merchant who sold purple-dyed cloth (the color of royalty) for a living. She may have been a freedwoman and her name was given because she came from Thyatira, in the district of Lydia. As a Gentile, she apparently had been attracted to the Jewish way of life in the synagogue. She had a kind of associate status with the Jews as a worshipper of God and her attachment to Judaism was strong enough that she maintained the ties in Philippi, where Judaism seemed to be weak. Remember in Acts we read that they met outside the city by the river? Also in Acts we read that she begged for Paul and Silas to stay with her and her family in their home, so she was a very hospitable person as well. There is reason to believe that the Philippian church first met in her home.

In Acts we read that she was a worshipper of God. And what did Proverbs tell us – a woman who fears and loves the Lord is to be praised. Now Paul and the others with him could not have known too much about Lydia, in fact they probably knew nothing about her.
But something must have told them that this woman was a follower of Christ and she worshipped the Lord! Paul apparently noticed that this woman heard them praying and no one knows, but this may have been one of the first times she heard others pray outside of the temple, especially with the passion of Christ. When we hear someone pray out loud, and in doing so they glorify God, it can lead us to do something awesome for the Lord.
Lydia did something that apparently had not been done yet in her home. She urged her family to be baptized and to accept Jesus as their Lord. You see, it only takes one! Lydia was that one for her family and it changed the very heart and soul of her household. It was the lady of the house who may have saved her family for generations to come and for all eternity.

Women have a lot of influence! They always have, but it has not always been so public. When Mother’s Day became an official day on the calendar it seemed to make public what so many knew privately. Now, as mothers or as Christian women you have a chance to make a difference in the lives of those around you. All of us, women and men, boys and girls have an opportunity to be like Christ to others every day that God gives us.
Suzanna Wesley was the mother of nineteen children, among them were John and Charles Wesley. It has been said that the Methodist denomination was born on the lap of a mother. She spent one hour each day in prayer. That's seven hours each week! She spent one hour per week with each child individually imparting spiritual life and wisdom. That's nineteen hours! Suzanna Wesley over two hundred years ago formulated sixteen rules for raising children. They are still pretty good rules!

1. Eating between meals is not allowed.
2. As children, they are to be in bed by 8 pm.
3. They are required to take medicine without complaining.
4. They are to subdue their self-will so that they might be open to God's salvation.
5. Teach a child to pray as soon as he can speak.
6. Require all to be still during Family Worship.
7. Give them nothing they cry for, and only that which they ask for politely.
8. To prevent lying, punish no fault which is first confessed and repented.
9. Never allow a sinful act to go unpunished.
10. Never punish a child twice for a single offense.
11. Commend and reward good behavior.
12. Any attempt to please, even if poorly performed should be commended.
13. Preserve property rights, even in smallest matters.
14. Strictly observe all promises.
15. Require no daughter to work before she can read well.
16. Teach children to reverence God.

In today’s world most women can physically be a mother, but it takes having the love of God inside to make you a loving mom! We have had several in the life of our church who have lost their loving mom’s in the past year and the wonderful memories they have of their mothers can make this day so special for them in a different way this year. Remember your mother today! Love your mother everyday! And be Godly mothers always!
You mothers out there have a great opportunity to further God’s kingdom here on earth in the way that you mother – not only your own children, but other children as well. Pray that God will make you the best mother you can be and that God will help you be the one to make a difference.
I have a great mother and she has taught me so much through my entire life. But I also have other fabulous women who have mothered me in so many ways through the years……… It only takes one to be bold for the Lord and to say what Joshua said in Joshua 24:15, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”


At some time or another someone stepped up and said these very words in your family. In many families that someone was a mother or grandmother. Much like Lydia, other women have made the choice to lead their families to the saving love and grace of Jesus Christ.
We have a lot of reasons to thank our mothers today. They have given us guidance when we were lost, hugs when were sad, band-aids when were hurt, and advice when were confused.

Our mothers and grandmothers have played an important role in our lives in one way or another. And even if they were not good at mothering we still learned from that experience and God has allowed us to grow because of it.
When we think of different women in the Bible there are several that come to our minds quickly. Mary, the mother of Jesus is probably the most common. Then there are the sisters – Mary and Martha and of course there is Mary Magdalene. In the Old Testament we remember Eve, Sarah, Ruth and Naomi and Esther. All of these ladies had prominent roles not only for their families, but also for all who would read of their extraordinary lives.

There’s a chance that some of you, or many of you, are where you are in your Christian journey because of a special woman in your life. Maybe it was your mother or grandmother or wife or maybe a Sunday school teacher or even the mother of a close friend from your past. It only takes one! You may just be that one that someone else needs to help them see the light and the love of Jesus Christ. You may just be that one that introduces Jesus Christ personally into someone’s life. You may just be the one to make the biggest difference in the life of a loved one or even a complete stranger. Hey, it only takes one! That one may be you! Are you ready? Then let God lead you to be the person to make a difference!