Mothers, don't ever underestimate the influence you can make on your families. Consider the following story.
In 1781 Andrew Jackson, then a boy of fourteen, enlisted in the American Army. Before long he was captured by the enemy and thrown into prison, where he contracted smallpox. His mother, Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson, arranged for his release and nursed him back to health.
When he had recovered, she responded to urgent appeals from some neighbors to go to Charleston and nurse the sick on board a British hospital ship. this errand of mercy cost Elizabeth Jackson her life, for she contracted yellow fever in Charleston and died.
Before leaving her home, spoke these words to her son, Andrew:
"Andrew, if I should not see you again, I wish you to remember and treasure up some things I have learned in life: In this world you will have to make your own way. To do that you must have friends. You can make friends by being honest, and you can keep them by being steadfast. You must keep in mind that friends worth having will in the long run expect as much from you as they give to you.
"To forget an obligation or to be ungrateful for a kindness is a base crime -- not merely a fault or a sin, but an actual crime. Men guilty of it sooner of later must suffer the penalty. In personal conduct always be polite, but never fawning. None will respect you more than you respect yourself."
"Avoid quarrels as long as you can without yielding to imposition, but sustain your manhood always. Never bring a suit in law for assault and battery, or for defamation. The law affords no remedy for such outrages that can satisfy the feelings of a true man."
"Never wound the feelings of others. Never brook wanton outrage upon your own feelings. If you ever have to vindicate your feelings, or defend your honor, do it calmly. If angry at first,wait till your wrath cools before you proceed."
We would encourage you also to leave behind a legacy of Godly principles. That will be a better sermon than any preacher can preach. Mothers, we believe in you.
Pastor John Giesbrecht
