Sunday Message, May 9, 2010
Series: Character Counts- A Women of Noble Character
Mothers Day:
Scripture: Proverbs 31:10 -31
Today being mothers day we will look at a women greatly respected honoured by her children and her husband - talked about her to his friends and believe it or not it was all positive- he bragged about her to others.
She is described in Proverbs 31- beginning at verse 10
A wife of noble character who can find her? Proverbs 31:10
It could also be a question of mothers because a little further down in this proverb it is stated
Her children arise and call he blessed
so we could ask today
A mother of noble character who can find her?
A good question- today is mothers day I certainly do want to pick on mothers today that would be unfair as we are to honour our mothers today.
But we are in a series entitled - character counts we have looked at few individuals as we began our study of Joshua we looked at some great men and one woman so far and asked what made them stick out of the crowd- why did God use them in great ways to accomplish great things for him?
It all comes down to character- your inner story or real story of our life the qualities of your life not seen until you act do something your actions reveal what is going on in the inside our character come out in actions.
Today as you honor or reflect on your mother What do you respect about your mother?
For some this day is difficult you may have lost your mother this year so reflect on her past qualities they still shape your life.
What character qualities do you notice in her that you admire?
The writer of Proverbs 31 listed a good number of character qualities of this truly amazing women.
Is this women for real ? a perfect 10 out of 10 or the ideal women he longs for his wish list??
This is what I would look for if I was looking for a future wife and mother for my children- write out the ideal list 100 top things I look for- and if you have 99 out of 100 you just dont measure up guys like that usually look all there life for the perfect women who can do it all and then more.
They usually dont find someone because they think they are all that and no one is good enough for them so they never find one worthy of them. Might be more arrogance and pride than anything else.
for most women reading this list she is more unreal you got be kidding me look at what she all does she is a recipe for burnout get up early and takes care of her house children - husband fields- she buys and trades is involved in business- goes to bed late gets up early and does it all with a smile on her face
and is very positive about tomorrow she is happy content and cant wait for tomorrow to do it all over again. Ideal or is she for real?
For some she is an example of spiritual qualities we all should aspire to the character we should be looking for and developing the inner life we should be growing into
People of noble character do we even value such people today?
When you look for a girl friend or boy friend that special person in your life is noble character on the top of your list? or is it how do they look the perfect 10 the jock how much money do they make and what job do they have- - are those the top factors?
Noble character - he may have been asking are they even around today today with our hock up one night stands Im in it this for a good time not a long time attitude noble character is not even on the list- most are looking for someone with un noble character.
What is noble character? As we look at this womens actions what she does there is a character quality that produces her actions.
It would be good to take notice of these qualities if you are looking for a great women and great mother of your children.
They will also help you identify some qualities you can write in that card you may have not given to your mother today.
This description Proverbs 31:10-31 is a poem in Hebrew it is an acrostic each word at the beginning of each stanza is a successive letter in the Hebrew alphabet.
It would be like if we started with A Available; B- Benevolent; C- Caring
It might be a helpful exercise to do this for your mother
Most mothers have some if not all of these character qualities
that is why we honor you today.
She is worth more than rubies character is worth more than money- valuable - you can marry rich and be miserable.
Vs. 11- her husband is a rich man to have found her - he has great confidence in her
Vs12- she brings him good not harm she will not take advantage of him - she is in it for life loyal committed to him.- she is secure and brings security to the relationship.
She doesnt use love to get her way oh if you loved me you would buy me a new house.
Dependability /10
"Fulfilling what I consented to do, even if it means unexpected sacrifice."
Action Steps:
Keep my word
Be careful what I promise
Correct my mistakes
Pull my share of the load
Not have a bad attitude
Vs 13 19 willing to contribute to the family self giving hard worker
Vs14 she is like a merchant ship she is not a merchant ship she brings food from afar-
looking to the need of others and looks for way to meet those need.- She has great concern for the safety and care of her family keeping them warm well dressed- fed nurtures them - meeting physical and emotional needs. She is a hard worker in the home and outside the home- the womens movement womens liberation is far behind this women she is directly involved in the work world.
Creativity /10
"Approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective."
Action Steps:
Use my talents for good
See things from more than one perspective
Use principles to solve problems
Learn all I can
Look for new ways to be a person of character
Availability /10
"Making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I serve."
Action Steps:
Put others ahead of myself
Find a way to help, not a way to hide
Be ready when I'm called
Be glad for the chance to serve
Check with the right person before I make commitments
Vs. 20 - She opens her arms to the poor - extends her hand to the needy not only her family but others are in her care network.
Generosity /10
"Carefully managing my resources so I can freely give to those in need."
Action Steps:
Share what I have with others
Not expect anything in return for my generosity
Give of my time and talents
Praise the good I see in others
Compassion /10
"Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others."
Action Steps:
Stop to help
Listen when others want to talk
Give of my resources to help those in need
Look for lasting solutions
Comfort others without regard to race, gender, faith, age, or nationality
Vs. 22 - She looks after herself clothed with fine lines and purple- self respect dignity- she puts herself together for her husband. Self respect takes time for herself.
There is new description coined in the last few years compassion fatigue when we care and give of ourselves to the point of burnout we have nothing to give we are drained she manages her time and sets aside time for herself.
Vs 25-She is clothed with dignity and strength- emotionally strong confident she is positive and confident about tomorrow she isnt a bitter complaining wife or a mother who finds her children to be a burden or a road block to her plans.
Vs 26 - She speaks with wisdom she know how to give good Godly advise- wisdom is applying good sound principle to life faithful wisdom that instils faith and confidence in God and in yourself to accomplish great things she is a women that encourages her children.
This is why mothers at times get a bad rape from there children she usually will not say what we want to hear but tells us what we need to hear-
Most mothers will not say - oh if it feels good do it or it doesnt matter do your own thing dont care about the consequences or it is all right to be rude and disrespectful or it is alright to lay around all day and be lazy - no- she knows what it like to work hard vs. (27) give of herself and gain the respect of others and she wants to in still those qualities in her children.
She usually does this better than most fathers - sad but many fathers are just over grown children who would sit around all day and be lazy- they usually spoil their children and mothers take the fall for being the bad cop. Set down the law and boundaries tells it like it is
But to speak with wisdom we need:
Sensitivity /10
"Perceiving the true attitudes and emotions of those around me."
Action Steps:
Listen to others fully
Watch facial expressions
Notice tone of voice
Put myself in others' shoes
Show that I care
Discernment /10
"Understanding the deeper reasons why things happen."
Action Steps:
Ask questions
Not judge hastily
Learn from experience
Not repeat mistakes
Trace problems to their causes
Wisdom /10
"Making practical applications of truth in daily decisions."
Action Steps:
Listen to my parents and teachers
Learn from correction
Choose my friends carefully
Remember there are consequences to all my actions. Ask, "What is the right thing to do?"
Possible today you have to say thank you mother for pushing me showing me what it is like to work hard the value of giving to others loyal dependable always there showing your love in countless ways.
Children call her blessed they see the great qualities and know she is blessed and they are blessed because of her blessed ( to experience Gods favour and presences in her life.)
She is a women of noble character her inner life is reflected in her outward actions a women of great virtue.
Virtue /10
"The moral excellence evident in my life as I consistently do what is right."
Action Steps:
Do what is right and encourage others to do the same
Guard my eyes, ears, words, and thoughts
Learn to stand alone
Abstain from anything which might damage or pollute my mind or body
Treat others as I would want them to treat me
She above all fears the Lord she has a high respect for and love for God he is the one she seeks to honor above all else and as she does it seen in how she live out her life with her family friends and herself. These are qualities you can encourage your mother with today and seek to see them lived out in your own life.
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