A story is told of four men arguing over the best translation of the Bible. The first man liked the King James Version because of its beautiful, eloquent English. Another insisted the American Standard Bible was best because of its accuracy to the original text. A third preferred Moffat for its quaint, penetrating words and captivating phrases. After pondering the issue, the fourth man said, "Personally, I have always preferred my mother's translation." Tolerating the other's chuckles, he responded, "Yes, she translated it. She translated each page of the Bible into life. It is the most convincing translation I ever saw."

Blessed indeed is the son and daughter whose mother translated the Bible into life. By doing so she makes priceless contributions to her family. We see some of those contribution in the graduates that we recognize on this Mother's Day.

Previously I have referred to Timothy's mother Eunice and Grandmother Lois. I am indebted to Chuck Swindoll for challenging me to think about the contributions Timothy's mother made to him as Paul points out various characteristics of Timothy. Certainly Timothy's Mother and Grandmother had an impact on him - translating the Bible into life. Of course, others in the faith community, especially Paul had been involved in his nurture too. So for a few moments I want us to consider some contributions of mother this morning.

I. Sensitivity

This is a description that came to my mind as I thought of Timothy's tear in verse 4. Sons have often been trained to believe that grown men do not cry. I do not believe this idea because it is not Biblical, and many of the men I know and admire shed tears sometimes. These tears may represent sensitivity to the wives, their children, their friends, and to hurting people around them. However, this is a contribution that more likely was passed down from mom rather than dad.

Swindoll calls this sensitivity tenderness and says. "Paul remembers Timothy's tenderness, a trait passed down from his mother. In fact, most of us learned tenderness from our mothers, while our dads taught us diligence. From Dad we learned the value of a dollar, the significance of honesty, the importance of standing alone when everything turns against us. But we learned tenderness from Mom. Mothers, don't lose that quality - its one of your greatest contribution to your family. Your warm embrace, eager smile, and soft reply will be a safe harbor for the child who's tossed and battered by life's stormy seas."

II. Sincere Faith

Timothy's spiritual heritage began with his mother and grandmother. Read verse 5.

Years later, how wonderful it is that Paul can look back to Timothy's sincere faith. The Greek word from which we get the word sincere is the opposite of the word that speaks of acting under a mask of a disguise. Greek actors on the stage playing the part of someone else were called (Greek lettering) - the word from which we get the word hypocrite. This sincere faith is the opposite. It is not phony. It is real genuine faith modeled by Mom and Grandma. Read II Timothy 3:14,15. While we are grateful for their faith it is too bad they had to pass on this faith without Dad's help. It probably put the sincerity of Mom's faith to the test.

III. Self-esteem

This self-esteem or positive self image I see is in contrast to a spirit of timidity - not a desirable trait. When children sense Mom and Dad's poor attitudes toward themselves they tend to copy it in their lives. Instead of timidity we are to have the spirit of power, an inner confidence that comes from God who created us in His image, who redeemed us through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and placed the Holy Spirit within us. Moms and Dads within whose hearts the Holy Spirit resides can play a vital role in building healthy self-esteem in their children.

Listen to Dr. James Dobson.

"It is a wise adult who, understands that self-esteem is the most fragile characteristic in human nature, and once broken, its reconstruction is more difficult than repairing Humpty Dumpty. …

…Although our task is more difficult for some children than for others, there are ways to teach a child his genuine significance, regardless of the shape of his nose or the size of his ears or the efficiency of his mind. Every child is entitled to hold up his head, not in haughtiness and pride, but in confidence and security. This s the concept of human worth intended by our creator. How foolish for us to doubt our value when He formed us in His own image! …

… When the child is convinced that he is greatly loved and respected by his parents, he is inclined to accept his own worth as a person."

Moms - Dads too - What are you doing to contribute to the self esteem - the inner confidence fro m God in your children and grandchildren?

IV. Selfless Love

Agape, Godly, unselfish, giving, sacrificing love is a tremendous contribution Moms make to their families. Also, each person in our families can make this contribution when we keep Jesus' example of selfless love as our model. Seeking the highest good of others. This love includes our word, our tone of voice, our thoughtfulness, and our daily giving of ourselves. In another letter Paul focused on self-less love for a whole chapter, I Corinthians 13. A mother, Dianne Lorang has written this paraphrase.

If I talk to my children about what is right and what is wrong, but have not loves, I am like a ringing doorbell or pots banging in the kitchen. And though I know what stages they will go through, and understand their growing pains, and can answer all their questions about life, and believe myself to be a devoted mothers, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give up the fulfillment of a career to make my children's lives better, and stay up all night sewing costumes or baking cookies on short notice, but grumble about lack of sleep, I have not love and accomplish nothing.

A loving mother is patient with her children's immaturity and kind even when they are not; a loving mother is not jealous of their youth nor does she hold it over their heads when she has sacrificed for them. A loving mother does not push her children into doing things her way. She is not irritable, when the chicken pox have kept her confined with three whinning children for two weeks, and she does not resent the child who brought the affliction home in the first place.

A loving mother is not relieved when her disagreeable child finally disobeys her directly so she can punish him, but rather rejoices with him when he is being more cooperative. A loving mother bears much of the responsibility for her children; she believes in them; she hopes in each one's individual ability to stand out as a light in a dark world; she endures every backache and heartache to accomplish that.

A loving mother never really dies. As for homemade bread, it will be consumed and forgotten; as for spotless floors, they will soon gather dust and heel marks. And as for children, well, right now toys, friends and food are all important to them. But when they grow up it will have been how their mother loved them that will determine how they love others. In that way she will live on.

So care, training, and a loving mother reside in a home, these three, but the greatest of these is a loving mother.

Wow! What a contribution.

Finally we come to the fifth contribution in this list.

V. Self Control

This is the discipline of self control and provides the balance for the others. Selfless love and sensitivity balanced with self-control. Setting limits - When to say that is enough!

In his excellent book Hide or Seek, James Dobson tells the "story of a research project conducted by Stanley Coopersmith, associate professor of psychology at the University of California. After studying 1,738 middle-class boys and their families over a number of years, Coppersmith three important differences between the families of boys with high self-esteem and those with low self-worth. First, the high esteem children were more loved and appreciated at home. Their parent's love was deep and real; their words had substance. Second, and perhaps most revealing, the high-esteem group had parents whose approach to discipline was significantly more strict. They taught self control. In contrast, the parents of the low-esteem group were more permissive, creating a sense of insecurity. These boys were more likely to feel that no one cared enough to enforce the rules. Third, the high-esteem group had homes that were characterized by democracy and open communication. Once boundaries had been established, the boys had the freedom to ask questions and express themselves in an environment of acceptance. Mother's don't underestimate the value of teach self-control. In your disciopplie, you are building your children's character, enhancing their self-esteem and helping them learns to responsible for themselves."

Contributions of Mom.

1. Sensitivity
2. Sincere Faith
3. Self-esteem
4. Selfless Love
5. Self Control

• If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
• If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
• If a child lives with ridicule he learns to be shy.
• If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty
• If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient
• If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to have confidence.
• If a child lives with praise, he learns appreciation
• If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
• If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
• If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
• If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.

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