Mark Twain -- who had a way with words -- said: "My mother had a great deal of trouble with me -- but I think she enjoyed it."

Two young children were talking with each other about parent problems.

One of them complained to the other -- saying: "First they teach you to talk; -- then they teach you to walk; -- & as soon as you learn how to do both -- they tell you to 'Sit down & shut up!'"

You know -- men & women are so different! -- For example: --

A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.

A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need.

A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. -- A successful woman is one who can find such a man.

To be happy with a man, you must understand him a lot -- & love him a little. -- To be happy with a woman, you must love her a lot -- & not try to understand her at all.

A woman marries a man hoping he will change -- but he never does.

A man marries a woman hoping she will never change -- & she always does.

Today -- is the day we honor cooks -- waitress -- nurses -- teachers -- maids -- chauffeurs -- psychologist -- doctors -- & bankers -- or, to use their generic name -- MOTHERS!

One of the many names for mothers is chauffeur -- for it appears that mothers are always taking their children somewhere.

To school -- to the doctors -- to the store -- to birthday parties -- to soccer practice -- to church.

Sometimes it's easy to think that a mother is little more than calendar keeper & chauffeur.

There is an old Jewish proverb that says -- "God couldn't be everywhere so he made Mothers".

Our Scripture lesson for today tells us the beautiful story of some mothers who brought their children to Jesus.

I wonder what errands these mothers had just completed --with their babies on their hips & toddlers at their heels -- when they stopped along the way to see Jesus!

Let's read about it in Mark 10:13-16.

Children have always played a vital role in the plan of God!

No where is this more beautifully illustrated than in our text.

This is one of the loveliest scenes in the entire Bible; -- mothers bringing their children to Jesus so He could bless them.

Even as we recite these verses -- a great tenderness almost invariably finds its way into our voice.

The disciples did not see it that way at the time.

They thought the children were incapable of following Christ.

They thought Jesus was too busy with needy adults to concern Himself with little boys & girls.

After all -- Jesus was on His way to the Cross.

Jesus could not be bothered now.

The disciples proposed to send the children away!

I'm sure they meant well -- they knew that Jesus' mind was occupied with tremendous things -- & the disciples felt that Jesus ought not to be disturbed!

There are even some "Christians" today who may take the same kind of attitude as did these disciples! -- Oh, what a shame!

But the attitude of Jesus is so far different from that of others!

He calls for -- He invites -- the children to "come."

"Let the children come" -- Jesus says -- & that's all the invitation these mothers & their children need!!

Jesus takes them into His arms -- & upon His lap -- & He lays His hands upon them & blesses them!

Jesus embraced these little children with His love.

The New Testament scholar -- Ralph Earle -- wrote that Jesus "folded them in His arms."

What a picture of tenderness & love Jesus showed these little children!

When the children were close enough to Jesus to hear His invitation to "come" it was easy for them to climb onto His lap -- & to experience His embracing love -- tenderness & blessing!

The greatest responsibility of motherhood -- today (as it was in the day of this Bible story) -- is to bring our children close enough to Jesus so they can hear His invitation of acceptance & love & blessing!

That is my challenge to every mother -- every father -- every parent -- every grandparent -- here today!

Bring your children to Jesus! -- Bring your children to Jesus!

There are times when children will not get to Jesus -- unless mothers bring them!

And it is good to remember that children are never too old to be brought to Jesus; -- whether they are 5 or 55 -- Jesus wants to bless the hearts of your children!

Be assured that Jesus will always tell the children to "Come."

Be a mother who brings her children to Jesus!

1. Bring them to Jesus in your Prayers!

I was so blessed to be raised in a home with a praying mother!

She knew how to get a hold of God in prayer; -- her private devotions were never very private! -- Everyone could hear her praying!

I knew that each & every day -- my mother was bringing me to Jesus in her prayers! -- She did so to her dyeing day!

And I have come to the conclusion that those prayers live on in the heart of God -- for prayers are eternal in nature.

Susannah Wesley was one of the great mothers of church history!

She had a total of 17 children -- & she spent one hour every day praying for her children.

In addition -- she took each child aside for a full hour each week -- to discuss spiritual matters & to teach them about God.

No wonder two of her children -- Charles & John -- were used of God to bring blessing to all of England -- & much of America.

Someone once asked Susannah Wesley which one of her 17 children she loved the most.

She wisely replied: -- "I love the one who's sick until he's well -- & the one who's away until he comes home."

My friends -- a praying mother is a precious gem!

It's one of the few riches the government has not yet figured out how to tax.

The best time to become a praying mother is 9 months before your child is born; -- then pray for & with your children from their babyhood on.

Some occasions for prayer with a child are at meal time -- before they leave for school -- when they've misbehaved -- when they've had little childish hurts & disappointments -- when they are ill -- when they have reason to give thanks -- & again at bedtime.

And never stop praying for them -- even when they are grown!

We read of Job in the Old Testament -- that whenever his grown children had a celebration of some kind -- Job would get up early in morning & pray for each of them.

For Job said to himself: -- "Perhaps my children have sinned" (Job 1:5).

At any age -- your children need your prayers!

Every home can become an extraordinary home -- if they have a mother who is doing some extraordinary praying.

All kinds of wonderful things happen when mothers pray!

If you are a praying mother -- don't let up! -- don't let up!

If you are a mother -- but not a praying one -- why not right now pray the sinner's prayer of repentance?

Then you can effectively bring your children to Jesus in your prayers -- be they infants -- or teens -- or adults!

Learn to bring your children to Jesus in your prayers!

2. Bring them to Jesus by bringing them to Church -- where they can learn about Jesus!

As we well know -- there is no religious instruction allowed in our public schools anymore! -- That is so sad! -- So very sad!

Even the 10 Commandments cannot be posted.

The only time your children may hear the name of Jesus at school -- may be in the form of a curse word! -- What a shame!

No wonder we are seeing so many tragedies taking place in the hall-ways & the classrooms of our public schools!

My friends -- pray for our Christian school teachers -- & be sure to thank God for them! -- I know they will appreciate your prayers!

But if your children are going to learn about Jesus -- you had better faithfully bring them to church where Jesus is taught!

From the day my mother knelt at an old-fashion altar in a revival meeting in the Congregational Church at Freedom, OH -- (where she & dad had married) -- & gave her heart to God -- she faithfully took we 3 children to church -- week after week -- come sun shine or rain -- come blowing snow or freezing cold -- she always took us to church!

She did not ask us if we wanted to go; -- we had no choice; -- mother was bringing her children to church where Jesus was taught!

I am so thankful for the children's programs -- & youth programs -- we have here at Wynne Chapel under the leadership of Sandy & John Ruder -- & John Chapman -- & others!

It is one of the finest children's ministries & youth ministries I have ever seen anywhere.

I thank God for every one who is involved in ministering to our young people! -- & I thank God for the young people who come!

Children need to be in church where they can be taught the Bible -- & learn about Jesus!

Mothers -- dads -- be faithful to church yourselves! -- If for no other reason but for your children's sake!

Children will learn from your example!

3. Bring them to Jesus by acquainting them with the Gospel -- & encouraging their decision to trust & follow Jesus!

A Christian mother can strongly influence the spiritual priorities & values of her children.

One godly mother is worth a hundred clergy!

History has been enriched because of the influence of godly mothers who did everything within their power to bring their children to Jesus by acquainting them with the gospel -- & encouraging their decision to trust & follow Jesus.

The mother of George Washington taught her son the Biblical ideals of political & social morality -- which Washington kept before the nation throughout his military & political life.

James A. Garfield's mother was an earnest Christian who taught her children that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

A widow with four children -- she not only managed her farm -- but built with her own hands a log house which was also used as a church.

There she taught her own children -- as well as others -- the Scriptures.

The mother of England's famous William E. Gladstone led her son to faith in God when he was nine years of age.

He later wrote: -- "All that I think -- all I write -- all I am -- is based on the divinity of Jesus Christ!"

Oliver Cromwell's mother taught him the simple truths of Scripture --& he chose as his favorite Bible verse: -- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

When one young man joined a church -- the preacher asked him: -- "What was it I said that induced you to be a Christian?"

The young man replied: -- "It was nothing that I ever heard you say; -- it was the way my mother lived."

One of the greatest evangelists I've ever been privileged to hear preach was Freddie Thomas.

Freddie had such a speech impediment that you had to strain yourself to figure out what he was saying -- but every word was worth hearing.

I recall his testimony telling how -- due to his godly mother's influence -- he was saved at age 5; -- sanctified at age 7; -- & called to preach at the age of 12 when he couldn't even say his name "Freddie" clearly enough for anyone to understand. -- But what a powerful preacher he became!

Never discourage a child from coming to the altar to pray!

It pays to keep the altar open to the children.

Children can be saved; -- we must get them saved!

You cannot mold cement after it has hardened -- nor can you do much with a child once he is grown.

So bring them to Jesus while they are young -- acquaint them with the Gospel -- & encourage their decision to trust & follow Jesus!

Conclusion: --

Mother's Day is more than a beautiful sentiment.

It is more than an invitation to speak pretty words & tributes.

It is a time to challenge -- & to think again of the awesome privileges & responsibilities of Christian parenthood.

Children are so precious to Jesus!

He loves them -- & desires to bless them & include them in His kingdom!

Jesus etched upon the memory of these children a picture of love & understanding.

Jesus still says to parents (to mothers) everywhere -- "Let the children come -- bring your children to Me -- by way of your prayers -- by bringing them to church where they can learn of Me -- by acquainting them with the gospel & encouraging their decision to trust & follow Me."

A child's best Friend -- a child's deepest need -- is Jesus, our Savior & Lord. -- Oh, bring them to Him!

Jesus loves the little children of the world; --

Oh, bring them -- bring them to Jesus!

That beloved song "Jesus Loves Me" -- states in its second verse:

Jesus loves me! -- This I know,

As He loved so long ago,

Taking children on His knee,

Saying, “Let them come to Me."