In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul says this:

⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:6-8, NIV)

Many churches sometimes ask members to do a spiritual gifts assessment. That’s teacher-talk for a test, y’all. Anyway, these assessments generally indicate the area or areas wherein the Christian has gifts. However, mothers and grandmothers know that they’d better be pretty good at all of them.

Prophesying is, to an extent, discernment. Moms have much to discern these days, from social media to some really odd fashion trends. God does care about matters in today’s world, and it takes the Holy Spirit’s influence to help us deal with the craziness. 

Moms must also serve, whether it is hosting the rec department baseball team, chaperoning the youth group, or making sure that everyone has clean clothes for school. 

Moms are also teachers, with a huge curriculum to cover. Moms teach social skills, such as how to shake hands and make up after a playground dispute, practical skills such as tying shoes and making killer peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Moms teach organizational skills, by making schedules to accommodate all the busy-ness of modern life. 

Moms are tasked with encouragement, too. Mom has to help kids get over the loss of a soccer match, a best friend, or a beloved pet, and help children have hope for a better tomorrow. 

Moms give, of their time, their talents, as well as their income. 

Moms often take on leadership roles, whether it is planning a homeschool outing, a bake sale to pay for summer camp tuition, or figuring out how to pay for a week’s worth of groceries with half a week’s worth of income. 

Moms must demonstrate mercy, because sometimes there’s some slight which must be forgiven. Yes, mothers need to have a lot of spiritual gifts.

Every person here either is a mother or had a mother. Some of us are fortunate to have the opportunity to honor our mother, and perhaps even a grandmother today. I lost my mother many years ago, but she was a good Christian as well as a great mom, and she modeled many of the spiritual gifts. I hope to honor her by following her example.

Thanks to all the folks here who are mothers, have honored mothers, or merely remember what your own mother did for you, whether it was today or long ago.