The supreme asset of national life

The supreme asset of national life - Greg Laurie - http://www.wnd.com/2016/05/the-supreme-asset-of-national-life/

 

Pastor Greg Laurie figures it ought to be called 'Mother's Month'

 

Moms certainly deserve their own day. But maybe in addition to Mother's Day, there ought to be a Mother's Month. In his essay "The Good Mother," President Theodore Roosevelt wrote,

 

When all is said, it is the mother, and the mother only, who is a better citizen than even the soldier who fights for his country. The successful mother, the mother who does her part in rearing and training aright the boys and girls who are to be the men and women of the next generation, is of greater use to the community and occupies, if she would realize it, a more honorable, as well as important, position than any man in it.

 

... The mother is the one supreme asset of the national life; she is more important by far than the successful statesman or businessman or artist or scientist.

 

When you stop and think about it, everything we have learned in life we probably have learned from our mothers.

 

It was from our mothers that we learned about anticipation when they would say to us, "Just wait until your father gets home." It was from our mothers that we learned about logic when they would say, "Because I said so, that's why." Our mothers also taught us about foresight when they would tell us, "Make sure you wear clean underwear today in case you are in an accident." Our mothers taught us how to become adults when they said, "If you don't eat your vegetables, you will never grow up."

 

Our mothers also taught us about genetics: "You are just like your father." They taught us about irony: "Keep laughing, and I will give you something to cry about." They taught us about stamina: "You will sit there until all of that spinach is finished." They taught us about weather: "It looks like a tornado swept through your room." And they taught us about the circle of life: "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

 

It was our mothers who first taught us about prayer: "You'd better pray that will come out of the carpet." And of course, it was our mothers who taught us about justice when they said, "One day you will have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you. Then you will see what it's like."

 

Of course, mothers lay the spiritual foundation for so many children today. Yet we live in a time when many mothers are abandoning their posts. They are neglecting, and sometimes even deserting, their children. In a culture where so many want to do their own thing and go their own way, many mothers are not fulfilling this special role God created for them.

 

When you have a woman who will use her considerable influence to lay a godly foundation, that is a powerful combination. That is why the writer of Proverbs, in describing the excellent wife, said, "Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: 'There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!' Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised" (Proverbs 31:28-30 NLT).

 

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy about the impact of Timothy's grandmother and mother on his life. Paul said, "I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you" (2 Timothy 1:5 NLT). Timothy apparently came to faith because of the influence of his grandmother, who passed it on to his mother, who then passed it on to him, showing us the importance of a godly heritage.

 

It also reminds mothers that even if their children have gone astray for a time, it doesn't mean they will stay away from the Lord forever. We are reminded in Proverbs, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6 NIV). For you mothers who have made these sacrifices and sought to impact your children and grandchildren who sometimes are not going the way they ought to, don't give up.

 

My grandmother was Stella McDaniel, who was married to Charles McDaniel. We called her Mama Stella, and we called him Daddy Charles. They came from Arkansas and were salt-of-the-earth country people who loved the Lord. I actually lived with my grandmother for a number of years, and it was then that I first learned about Jesus Christ. She would take me to church and laid a spiritual foundation in my life.

 

But here is the interesting thing. My grandparents had a lot of children, one of whom was my mother. A classic prodigal, she went astray and didn't want to follow the faith my grandparents taught her. Later on, I came to the Lord, and I was praying for my mom. Shortly before my mother's death, she came back to Christ, and now she is in heaven. The foundation was laid, and the heritage was passed on. So even if your children are going astray, it doesn't mean they will stay that way.

 

I think of how God has used Franklin Graham and how God has gifted him to preach. If you've ever heard Franklin preach, then you've probably thought that he looks and sounds a lot like his father. Though Billy Graham certainly has influenced his son, Franklin would be the first to admit that the most significant and profound influence on him spiritually was his mother.

 

While his dad was traveling around the world holding crusades, his mom would be there at home with him, nurturing and loving Franklin and his siblings. She made an important impact on his life. She passed on to her children the faith she had been taught. Then Franklin and his siblings passed it on to their children.

 

So moms, be encouraged. Keep doing what you are doing, because your impact is significant.