Thursday, May. 14, 2009
A mother's love endures
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What do you remember most about your mother? Is it the delicious meals she made that filled your hungry stomach? Is it the motherly advice she offered when everyone else's brought no solution to the problem? Is it for all of the things she did that went unnoticed and even un-thanked? When she didn't do them, it just didn't get done. Abraham Lincoln once said, "I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life."
Of all the things your mother has done for you, what stands out specifically? I pray it is what the Apostle Paul wrote about when he spoke to a young missionary named Timothy. "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also" (2 Timothy 1:5). The important truths of God's word were passed on to young Timothy from his mother and grandmother. Moms and moms-to-be, my prayer is that one thing sticks out.
Oh, sure, moms love their children. They generally don't have to be taught to love their children. They envision a happy and successful life for their children. But most important, Christian moms have something more behind their love: God's love for them. Christian moms not only teach ABCs, 1-2-3's and nursery rhymes to their kids. They also join with Christian dads to teach their children: "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so," and "I am Jesus' little lamb." Christian moms do that not out of instinct but because God has forgiven all their sins, even the sin of not being a perfect mom.
While there is no such thing as a perfect mother (or father), remember there is forgiveness from Christ. That forgiveness is for moms and the mistakes that they made and for children who make a mother's job tough.
Most can look back and see that their moms were probably the most influential people we had in our lives. For that we take a day, Mother's Day, and say thanks. Give thanks each day for the gift of your mom. Mothers have been a blessing to our lives in many different ways, and we thank the Lord for the gift he has given to us in them!
_Ben Zahn is the pastor of Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, 4761 U.S. 501, suite 6.
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