Mothers are master builders

Mom. Working mom. Household manager. Coach. Bouncer. Bodyguard. Craftsman. Nurse. There never seem to be enough titles to try to capture all that Mom is.

At some time in our lives most of us will get caught up in some type of remodeling or redecorating project, whether it is one that we are personally involved with or one we are living vicariously through as we watch strangers redecorate, remodel and in some cases destroy their homes on television. In every successful project there are some clear steps that must be taken in order keep the project from just being about ripping out drywall.

The most important step to any remodeling project is to define your desires. What do you actually want the space to do?

When you are clear about the expectations you'll then be able to design a plan to reach those desires.

Once the overall picture is clear and steps are thought through to create that picture you need to gather your resources -- whether the resources are people or materials.

Finally, begin the build. The hardest part of any project is clear and thorough preparation.

You may be wondering, "Isn't this Mother's Day weekend? What does a construction project have to do with Mother's Day?"

Moms in a real sense are designers and master craftswomen of their homes. Whether they have the luxury, or in some cases the necessity, of staying at home full time or they have the necessity, and in some cases the luxury, of working outside of the home, Moms are the master builders in their homes.

The first part of Proverbs 14:1 reads, "The wisest of women builds her house." Homes are more than walls and paint and lights.

Homes are built with boys and girls and accessorized by friends. Homes are built by praying and thinking about who it is these children need to become. It should not be about what career titles will they hold but what character will be built in their lives that will guide them through the storms and calm waters they must face.

The same way a master builder looks at a construction project, so too do moms bear the privilege of building the lives in their homes.

So if you buy Mom a construction hat this year, let her know it is because you appreciate all of the building she does in your life.

Be sure to put some flowers and a spa gift certificate inside, though.

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father and serves as the associate pastor at the First Baptist Church in Jackson.