The Value of a Mom

Salary.com, a Massachusetts firm specializing in determining compensation, surveyed 40,000 mothers and found that if she were paid for all her work, the average mother works 92 hours and week, and would earn almost $140,000 a year. The company concluded the average mom works at least 10 jobs, including housekeeper, teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, van driver, psychologist, and chief executive officer. Calculating the median salaries for each position and the number of hours worked at each during the week, the firm came up with an average salary of $138,095 a year. Salary.com’s calculations found that even mothers who work full-time outside the home, put in approximately $86,000 worth of work as mothers every year.

Proverbs reminds us, … Who can find a wife with a strong character? She is worth far more than jewels. Her husband trusts her with {all} his heart, and he does not lack anything good. She helps him and never harms him all the days of her life. She seeks out wool and linen {with care} and works with willing hands. She is like merchant ships. She brings her food from far away. She wakes up while it is still dark and gives food to her family and portions of food to her female slaves. She picks out a field and buys it. She plants a vineyard from the profits she has earned. She puts on strength like a belt and goes to work with energy. Proverbs 31:10-17 (GW)

I hope that every mother realizes that her worth and impact go far beyond her monetary value, for the role and blessing of motherhood can and should have an eternal value that even surpasses her temporal worth. Let’s celebrate motherhood and all moms and moms to be this Sunday.

Calling all Super Heroes!

I started reading a book this week, called “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell. It is subtitled, “How Little Things Can make a Big Difference”. In the first chapter Gladwell talks about the three agents of change; the law of the few, the stickiness factor, and the power of context. Over the next few weeks I’ll share some additional thoughts on this book but let me just say this … it only takes one person to make an eternal difference. We all know the story of Paul Revere and his midnight right to warn all that “the British are coming.” It was that lone voice that created a sonic boom of resistance against the British on April 19th 1775 and ushered in the American Revolution. Gladwell says that “it is safe to say that word of mouth is – even in this age of mass communications and multimillion-dollar advertising campaigns – still the most important form of human communication.” That’s how the gospel of Jesus Christ has spread around the world, one voice adding to another till the sound reverberates to every continent – Jesus Christ is Lord! That is our mandate, our calling, our mission … to love and lead our community to Christ, to communication in word and deed God’s eternal love and grace. That’s what we are doing here at The Fellowship this summer … mobilizing all God’s average ordinary everyday superheroes in Christ.

I need you to consider the Mexico mission trip this summer, click this link for details (http://www.thefellowship.org/global_impact/mexico/index.htm) we need 15 more men, women and students who are willing to take the time and make the trip – it will be worth it, life changing!

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said “There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” What are you waiting for? Don’t forget that you are an “Average, Ordinary, Everyday Superhero … out to save the world!” Sign up for the Mexico mission trip today by emailing Pastor David Ruzicka (david@thefellowship.org).

Back Home Again

What an incredible two weeks in Indonesia studying its history and Islamic influence in Southeast Asia. I am so glad to be back and I look forward to sharing my experiences and insights with each of you. Also, let me take this opportunity to say thank you for your prayers and encouragement as I continue my doctoral studies in Transformational Leadership. I could not do this if were not for a great staff, encouraging Elders and a supportive church family. You are all such an incredible blessing.

Traveling outside the United States brings a profound awareness that all eyes are on the US. I landed two weeks ago in Taipei to news of the Virginia Tech massacre and then in Jakarta I watched, as any global citizen would, the news reports and wondered, “How could this happen?” “Why did this happen?” The world and its woes are a complicated mixture of anecdotes and analysis that leave all of us wondering what will happen next. But in the midst of global chaos, the words of scripture resound, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV) In the midst of a life of uncertainty these words cause me to stop and fall to my knees in intercession for the world, recognizing that nothing escapes God’s notice, I say thank you Lord for your promises, your provision, and your eternal protection. These words cause me to live with a prayerful heart toward heaven.

Tomorrow, Thursday May 3, is the National Day of Prayer (http://www.thefellowship.org/prayer/pdf/prayer_guide_ndop_07.pdf) this link is the prayer guide for you to use. There are several ways to participate: You can join me and others 8:30 a.m. in the loft for prayer. You can download or print out the prayer guide and use in your S.O.A.P.ing up. You can download and print out the prayer guide and handout at your office and lead in a time of prayer at lunch or sometime during the day. You can use the prayer guide for a family devotion with your children. I would love to hear how you participated in praying for your nation – email me jerry@thefellowship.org. Listen, there is to much going on in our nation for us not to take some time and join our hearts together with Christ followers all of the United States to pray that God would bless our country.