Unity Church of Castro Valley
Sunday Message for May 11, 2008
MOTHER'S DAY
Today is Mother's Day and the day that we honor and bless all our mothers. We bless our biological mothers, but we also bless those who mothered us who weren't related. We bless and honor all the Wise Women who have graced our lives with their presence.
So, let's look at something new we can do for Mother's Day this year.
MOTHER'S DAY RESOLUTIONS
As spring approaches, most New Year's resolutions are a distant memory. Whether you stuck to them for one month, one week, or only one day, the process of making resolutions is important.
Taking stock of our lives clears away the cobwebs, and puts many of our goals and dreams back on the table. While the dawning of a new year challenges us to look at every aspect of our lives, Mother's Day is about one thing: mothers.
Why not use the annual tradition of honoring mothers to set a few resolutions that nurture you, nurture your own mother, and nurture your relationship with your children? This Mother's Day, make a resolution for each role you play:
1. Mothering Yourself-
While it's lovely to have breakfast (even if it's burnt) in bed and a homemade card on Mother's Day, there is no gift that can repay you for the wonderful, tireless mothering you provide to your children. Even if your own mother is still alive, you need to give some of that care and nurturing to yourself. Make a commitment to self-care this Mother's Day.
Choose one thing you have always wanted to do and make plans to do it. Whether your secret desire is to take French lessons, tour all of the museums in your city, or have a private chef make a meal for your and your family, make it happen. A happy, contented mother is better able to respond to the demands of her children, so do not feel guilty about taking the time to care for yourself. Consider a monthly time out for you, where you can do something different every time. Or, perhaps you would like to do the exact same thing - a massage and a movie sound good to you?
2. Being a Daughter-
Now that you're a mother, you have a better idea of what your mother experienced, and the deep love she feels for you. Make a resolution to honor her by doing something really special this year, something beyond the requisite lunch and flowers. It's a safe assumption that your mother would love to do something fun with you to celebrate Mother's Day.
Perhaps you cannot commit to an activity exactly on the day, but make a plan and present it to her as a gift. Choose something she would enjoy, or something new to both of you. Perhaps a drive to a quaint town for a day of antiquing and wandering about? Another resolution to consider making is a gift of forgiveness. If there are old resentments between you, make a commitment to let them go in favor of a stronger, deeper relationship with your mother. Even if you decide to keep your resolution to yourself, your mother will surely feel the effects of your decision.
3. Being a Mother-
Mothering your own children so often is focused on the day-to-day requirements of keeping them safe, fed, warm, dry, and clothed. But if you are like most mothers, you probably have values and beliefs you would like to pass down to them. This Mother's Day, make a commitment to focus on fostering those values and traditions in your children.
For example, if you hope to raise children with a commitment to charity, you might make a resolution to start a family charity project, or even just instill the value by your own example of volunteerism.
Another gift to consider giving your children this Mother's Day is a change in the way you treat one or all of them. Perhaps you have been long on advice and short on listening, and you would like to switch that up so that your child can feel heard. Habits are hard to break, but when you start changing your behavior, you will see immediate results in the way your children relate to you.
Resolutions are easier to keep when they are small. Remember, even the tiniest change can make a huge difference in your life. Make a commitment to all three areas of your life - mothering self, honoring your own mother, and nurturing your children in a new way - but begin by taking care of you. The other resolutions will be easier to keep when you feel rejuvenated and relaxed. Whatever you resolve to do, make Mother's Day resolutions an annual tradition; a time to check in, regroup, and make simple changes with lasting, positive effects.
CREATION OF MOTHERS
There is a great story about how Mothers were created that is attributed to Erma Bombeck. Let me share it with you:
By the time the Lord made mothers, he was into his sixth day of working overtime. An Angel appeared and said "Why are you spending so much time on this one"? And the Lord answered and said, "Have you seen the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic; have 200 movable parts, all replaceable; run on black coffee and leftovers; have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up; have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart, and have six pairs of hands."
The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one. "Six pairs of hands! No Way!" said the Angel.
The Lord replied, "Oh, it's not the hands that are the problem. It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!"
"And that's just on the standard model?" The Angel asked.
The Lord nodded in agreement, "Yes, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks her children what they are doing even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of her head, are to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. And the third pair are here in the front of her head. They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word."
The Angel tried to stop the Lord. "This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish."
"But I can't!" the Lord protested, "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine year old to stand in the shower."
The Angel moved closer and touched the woman, "But you have made her so soft, Lord."
"Yes, she is soft", the Lord agreed, "But I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."
"Will she be able to think?", asked the inquisitive Angel.
The Lord smiled and replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason, and negotiate."
The Angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak with this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one."
"That's not a leak." The Lord objected. "That is a tear!"
"What's the tear for? the Angel asked.
The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride."
The Angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything! Truly, You do all things well... Moms are truly amazing!"
And that's what Mothers are, and that is what we are honoring here today.
MOTHER'S DAY TRIBUTE
From Mothers flow the springs of life - we give birth. And Mothers are classically known for being without judgment concerning their own children. All Mother's know that their child is without fault. Their child is the most beautiful, the smartest, the cleverest, and the most wonderful child ever born. This particular attribute in Mothers keeps us from drowning them at birth and by the time they are teenagers - it's too late.
MOTHER'S DAY CEREMONY
So, now I would like to pay tribute to the women we know. I have the names of women that I would like to acknowledge. If you are present and would like to come up to pay tribute yourself, please do so.
So for (NAME) this (white) flower is in memory of (NAME).
For (NAME) this (colored) flower is in honor of (NAME).
And for me this flower is to honor my mother Helen Caldwell.
Is there anyone else who would like to add a woman to this list?
As you look at this vase filled with multi-colored flowers, think of the women in your life who have influenced you, inspired you, strengthened you, and loved you. Women we loved and hated. Women we blame for all our faults and weaknesses, and thank for all our strengths and talents. Women who weren't perfect but did the best they knew how to do.
Calvin Trillin wrote, "The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for 30 years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found."
In your program you have a Mother's Day Responsive Reading - let's do that now.
MINISTER: "God shared His name of Father and the gift of fatherhood with man, but upon woman alone God conferred the name of Mother. To her God gave the privilege of motherhood, and upon her God bestowed the wondrous spirit of mother love."
ALL: "Thank You, Father-Mother-God, for this wondrous spirit of mother love."
MINISTER: "Like the love of the Divine Spirit, mother love knows no boundaries. With the almighty power of God love, in which it has its source, mother love can span a continent, rise to the highest mountaintop, or descend to the depths of the ocean. Time and distance are transcended."
ALL: "Thank You, Father-Mother-God, for mother love, which like your love is boundless."
MINISTER: "The word ‘Mother' has a special meaning to every soul on earth. If there were none to fulfill the role of motherhood, there would be no human race. Motherhood is precious to the Divine Spirit, for God entrusted the birth of His beloved Son to a woman whom the world has come to know as Mary, the mother of Jesus."
ALL: "Thank you, Father-Mother-God, for the continuation of the human race through Motherhood."
MINISTER: "The mother idea is associated with life, that vitalizing renewing flow of energy, which awakens every atom in our bodies to a new and greater expression of its potential."
ALL: "God is blessing every mother now with renewed life that fulfills every need."
MINISTER: "The mother idea exemplifies faith, that ability to say "yes" to God and to good; that which renews us, strengthens us, quickens us, and inspires us to do our best. A mother has faith in her children. And this mother faith instills in children the idea that they can do whatever they set their minds and hearts to do."
ALL: "God is blessing every mother now with faith to meet every need."
MINISTER: "The mother idea is filled with understanding, a knowing that God as principle stands under all things; that within all things there is good. Through understanding, a mother knows how to accomplish that which needs to be done. A mother expresses an understanding in her children, which strengthens their faith in themselves."
ALL: "God is blessing every mother now with understanding to meet every need."
MINISTER: "The mother idea is filled with strength, the ability to be still, to practice patience, steadfastness, tolerance, and balance. A mother is loyal to her children and stands by with patience until they have the strength to stand on their own."
ALL: "Thank You, God, for mothers who are blessed with strength and who practice tolerance and patience."
MINISTER: "Now, let us thank God for the power and blessing of our united prayers as we declare for the mothers of the world: ‘God is blessing you now with the love and joy, life and strength, understanding and faith that meet your every need.'"
ALL: "God is blessing you now with the love and joy, life and strength, understanding and faith that meet your every need."
MINISTER: "And, now let us affirm this blessing for the mothers who are dear to our own hearts. Take a moment to become aware of all of the mothers that are dear to your heart. Hold these beloved mothers in your mind's eye as we affirm: ‘God is blessing you now with the love and joy, life and strength, understanding and faith that meet your every need!'"
ALL: "God is blessing you now with the love and joy, life and strength, understanding and faith that meet your every need!"
MINISTER: "Blessed are the mothers of yesterday. They nurture us with loving memories and inspire us to become all we are meant to be. Blessed are the mothers of today. They hold in their hands and in their hearts the keeping of tomorrow and the destiny of our children's future. Truly, God is blessing all mothers now. Amen."
And that is the end of our presentation. If you would like to come up after the service is finished and get a flower to give to a woman today, please do so.
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Last updated
May 12, 2008
