Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.
Genesis 3:20.
Eve, Chavvah (khav-vaw’); life-giver; Chavvah (or Eve), the first woman: by implication (intensively) to declare or show, living… who would become the mother of all the living…and in fact she did. She was the first woman, the first wife and the first mother. Equally…she was the first sinner, the first rebel, the first to be tempted by Satan and lose! What a legacy and what a supreme challenge! There is so much to learn from her and from our own mothers. Being the first at anything can be so exciting and yet who do you learn from, who do you imitate, from where do you get your advice? Sounds like such an adventure but equally such a burden and with mountains to move to make it work! Eve was the first in everything a woman could experience and she made a lot of mistakes, severe ones- all the while being made in the image of God…made to do good, create and give hope to others! Thank God for MOTHERS!
I remember the first time I held a child…I simply asked myself, “What would my mother do?” There was uncertainty yet there was a sense of peace as I thought of the care, concern and kindness shown by my mother. Oh yes there were mistakes, she messed up, but so much was right. How often have you caught yourself thinking…wow, if I just would have listened to my mom, this would have gone so much better!
LAUREN HAMMER’S IS BAPTIZED INTO
THE KINGDOM OF GOD AT THE
RELFECTION POND AT UCF!
The sayings of King Lemuel — an oracle his mother taught him: “O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings…”Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:1-3, 8-9 Most interpreters are of opinion that Lemuel is Solomon; the name signifies one that is for God, or devoted to God; and so it agrees well enough with that honorable name which, by divine appointment, was given to Solomon 2 Samuel 12:25, Jedediah—beloved of the Lord.
King Lemuel (Solomon) learned from his mother (Bathsheba) how to see wayward women for who they are…people who will ruin your life and take you to disastrous places. Sadly, a woman without a powerful, godly and humble mother will likely bring more sadness into this world. As Eve so destroyed her future, all who do not listen to a righteous mother are destined for destruction. Has a woman in your life led you closer to God or further away? Deal decisively with this so you do not spend your strength on people who bring ruin…rather spend your life with people who have the fruit of the Spirit pouring out of them!
THE CITY CENTER AND CAMPUS HOUSE
CHURCHES COME TOGETHER TO PRAY AFTER
LAUREN’S BAPTISM!
King Lemuel also notes he learned to speak up for those who could not do so for themselves from his mother. This “oracle” is beautiful and empowered him to take care of the people he would lead…he then writes most likely about his mother…King David’s wife: “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” Proverbs 31:10-12. She changed, transformed and became a woman who could be imitated- Solomon learned this from his mother. Although Bathsheba started out in an ungodly manner with King David, she became a godly woman who helped make kingdom decisions with David and powerfully taught Solomon to be a godly man. Due to her influence and the righteous heart of his father Solomon asked for wisdom rather than riches. Thank God for MOTHERS!
Finally, to close out…some thoughts about mothers that may help you thank her today for all her selflessness:
- All the times she had to double as best friend/counselor/therapist/costume designer/hair stylist/coach/all-around-solver-of-every-problem-ever. I remain unconvinced that moms aren’t actually superheroes in disguise.
- Forgiving us when we forget to call.
- Listening to all our pointless dramas when we do remember…to call…or sit with her.
- Being the kind of person that we actually do want to become— because as we all know, it’s inevitable.
- Having the incredible prowess only a mother whose babes have been scorned could — mama bear protects her cubs, sometimes excessively, but we love it, let’s be honest.
- All those times we yelled “MOOOOMMM!!” through the house to find out where our white shirt was or what time so-and-so was getting home and all the other questions we just couldn’t go to Dad for.
- All the things she reluctantly bought us at the cash register of any given store, all the clothes and things we didn’t really need (but insisted we did). Growing up and understanding the value of a dollar really makes you reconsider just how much moms sacrifice.
- For all the home cooked meals or pizzas we didn’t have to pay for ourselves. Equally phenomenal. Equally missed.
- Putting up withour middle school phase…high school phase…teenager phase…should I go on?
10. For giving us our siblings, whom we simultaneously once wished to sell and now are best friends with. - And oh yeah, for that whole “giving birth to us” thing.
- For being our first, and at some points, only cheerleaders, who were and are proud of every little thing we do.
- All the time she spent picking us up from practices; bending over backwards to make sure we had new cleats and costumes; and were at every game, rehearsal, and play date we planned.
- Doing her best, even when things were most difficult in the family. Moms have this incredible magic sparkle glue that keeps it all together when it would otherwise fall apart.
- Dealing with Dad (as awesome as he is!).
- Being the woman of the house (and of our lives). And for being living proof that there truly are people who can honestly just do it all.
He stoops down to make us great,
Matt Sullivan
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