The Church Mother Speaks

By Daveta Brown Editor-in-Chief

Alright, buckle up for some wisdom straight from a valuable playbook! But before diving in, it's essential to note that the Bible says wisdom is crucial (Proverbs 4:7). Let's be real. The church mothers and elders are basically walking encyclopedias of wisdom and life hacks. But here's the kicker: are we soaking up their wisdom or just nodding? It's time to dive back into the treasure of gems these women of God gave us. And guess what? I'm dishing out this valuable information in this segment through personal interviews and epic stories For this premiere episode, let's pay homage to an incredible source of wisdom in my life: my mom She was legit the go-to guru for her children and many of my buddies seeking advice She's passed away to be with the Lord, but her wisdom nuggets still hit hard So, grab your popcorn, folks, because I'm about to drop four of her all-time classics:

1. Stick Together. So, picture this: my mom looks at her children straight in the face and says, "Stick together!" And let me tell you, she wasn't just talking about gluing stuff. No, she was all about preaching the power of godly unity and having each other's backs. Now, back in my youngin' days, I didn't realize it, but it turns out Mom was dropping some biblical knowledge. Second Corinthians 13:11 says, "Be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you " Unity's where it's at, folks! Remember the Tower of Babel story? It's like the original team project gone wrong However, one thing stands out in this story: they were unified

The mothers are The mothers are speaking, but are we speaking, but are we llistening? istening?

On the other hand, when we get unity right and use it for the proper purpose, great things happen! So, here's the deal:, spot a sister in the Lord who could use a little extra love and support. If God calls her to be in your life, pray for her and "stick together."

2. Carry Yourself With Dignity. You might not hear the word "dignity" often in this culture, but it's a big deal for Christians. Dignity is about knowing your worth and carrying yourself in a way that demonstrates your value of it. The Oxford Dictionary defines dignity as "the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect." And guess what? My mom was all about it, especially when dropping pearls of wisdom about dating.

Proverbs 18:22 is the ultimate dating guide, saying, "He who finds a wife, finds a good thing." The word "finds" in Hebrew means 'befall," "caught," and also means "delivered." Here's the wisdom: you don't need to go all detective mode, wearing skimpy clothes to find Mr Right No need for ungodly pursuit! Just focus on pleasing God. Let Him direct you. He will have you in the right place at the right time. Then, you will have "caught" the attention of God's man, thus being "delivered" to him.

Mom used to say, "A man should love you so much that he gladly places his coat in a pool of water so you can walk on dry ground." It might sound old-school, but this solid advice could save you from being emotionally shipwrecked Moreover, when God's man comes along, he'll see your worth and won't want to let you slip away. Girl, dignity's where it's at!

3. Get Your Education. Let's face it We need to be trained in something, have a skill, a degree, or a certification. Education is a means to a successful career.

It's not the only way, but one of many ways that carries weight. My parents were educated, and Mom had this fire in her belly, wanting her children to reach even higher than they did. And guess what? Mission accomplished! I've got my master's degree, but it's not the end of the road for me. Not by a long shot!

Moreover, I was there helping my daughter on the road to her doctorate. I supported her emotionally, spiritually, and financially. I cheered her on every step of the way. I remember what Mom used to say: "Once you get that degree, that's a piece of paper that no man can take away from you. " I instilled my mom ' s teachings into my daughter. Having that education under your belt is like having a rock-solid foundation. Trust me, I've been there, done that through the highs, lows, and everything in between, no one could take my degrees. So, listen up, girl: please get educated, certified, trained whatever suits you best. Take "the pains" to study because it will pay off

(Please see our “Career Connection Column” for more information about top-rated careers)

4. Be An Asset And Not A Liability

To Your Husband. My mother was a quadruple threat beautiful, bringing the bucks, the love, and spiritual wisdom to the table. She believed that women are naturalborn helpers to their God-given husbands. Translation? She didn't just tag along; she turbocharged Dad's life!

Regarding money, Mom wasn't just a spender she added to the family's budget She'd treat herself occasionally. But here's the caveat: she had a ninja-like grip on keeping things in order. She believed home sweet home comes first. It might sound old-school, but trust me, it's the secret sauce to a family that stays together. Here's a hot tip: Mom was physically beautiful and loyal Like Fort Knox, she shut down any guy who dared to flirt On lockdown, she had this go-to Bible verse, Matthew 5:8, reminding us that purity pays off big time. Sure, Mom wasn't perfect (who is?), but her commitment to family and faith? Priceless, my friends. So here's to you, Mom I will always miss you as you take your rest with the Savior. Yet, I'm still eating from your wisdom buffet

Annie Brown, beloved wife of Deacon James Brown and devoted mother of three, led a life filled with music and faith. As director of the "Brown Singers," she brought the joy of gospel across the eastern coast. At Holy Temple C O G I C , Annie's voice echoed in local ministry as a soloist and choir member In her later years, she continued her spiritual journey at the Abundant Life Family Worship Church in New Jersey Annie leaves behind a legacy of love, wisdom, and cherished memories for her family and community