MOM

If you have had teenagers, this little statement in the picture will mean a lot to you!!!  Children always need something and as they get older they often need more and more and more until MOM breaks down and says something like:  Do you think I am MADE OF MONEY???  In fact, mothers are far more patient than fathers (as my wife will testify) and I think make better parents overall.  So, when you bachelors out there go looking for a wife, look carefully!!! Here is one mother's advice to her son....

Proverbs, Chapter 31

  1 The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.

  2 “Oh, my son!
Oh, son of my womb!
Oh, son of my vows!  

  3 Don’t give your strength to women,
nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

.....

 10 Who can find a worthy woman?
For her price is far above rubies.


  11 The heart of her husband trusts in her.
He shall have no lack of gain.


  12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.


  13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works eagerly with her hands.


  14 She is like the merchant ships.
She brings her bread from afar.


  15 She rises also while it is yet night,
gives food to her household,
and portions for her servant girls.


  16 She considers a field, and buys it.
With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.


  17 She arms her waist with strength,
and makes her arms strong.


  18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.


  19 She lays her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.


  20 She opens her arms to the poor;
yes, she extends her hands to the needy.


  21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household;
for all her household are clothed with scarlet.


  22 She makes for herself carpets of tapestry.
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.


  23 Her husband is respected in the gates,
when he sits among the elders of the land.


  24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and delivers sashes to the merchant.


  25 Strength and dignity are her clothing.
She laughs at the time to come.


  26 She opens her mouth with wisdom.
Faithful instruction is on her tongue.


  27 She looks well to the ways of her household,
and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.


  28 Her children rise up and call her blessed.
Her husband also praises her:


  29 “Many women do noble things,
but you excel them all.”


  30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.


  31 Give her of the fruit of her hands!
Let her works praise her in the gates!

Talk about a tough job description!!!  But, remember, this is what Lemuel's mother taught him!!!  Humm, I wonder if he ever did marry?  If he did, I can safely assume she was something special!!!  And so, we come to the common word for mother... MOM.  To me, this word has three meanings to her children, a different one for way you view the word.  As a young child, MOM is there for practically everything; especially emergencies (MOM turned sideways is SOS [ use Greek Letters ]).  As a teen, the Made Of Money term seems to be dominant.  When her child reaches adulthood and begins to realize how much it really takes to raise children... the word is turned upside-down and WOW becomes how she is viewed.  Who can find a worthy woman?  One who is a Mother Of Maturity; that's who!!!  At least this is true in Lemuel's case.