May 2005

On the second Sunday this month, we celebrate Mother's Day. One thing we all share in common is that we have a mother. All of us know the importance of this day. We will either be with her, or hold her close in our hearts and minds. She is our love, no matter what!

Our Mom

It would not be right to not mention Eve, who was the mother of all living. 1 Sometimes we forget about her. Some of us blame her or our own mom for our troubles. The Bible says Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 2

I used to blame mom for a lot, until I matured to see that none of it was her fault, only mine. My mom was not perfect, but close to it. She loved me when it seemed no one else did, and she never let me go until the day she entered into heaven. Mom told me of promises she asked my brother and sister to make concerning my care, weeks before her death. She always had my best interest in mind even though I had failed so miserably.

There is much more to say about my mom, but how about your mom? Surely, you have great and abiding love for her, but perhaps you don't know how to share it. There may be deep wounds in your heart concerning your relationship. You could have a perfect relationship with your mom. Sadly, many do not have that privilege. I did not know how to receive the love of my mom, therefore, I feel sad that this perfect relationship is not being experienced in their lives.

Mom's Love

There is nothing that can take the place of the love that only a mother can give. Many of us have watched a televised birth when the newborn is placed on their mother's chest. Even if the mom is displeased with having a child, there is a natural instinct built within a mother to care for her child. The Lord, our Creator, knew that love and care was the most important need from birth in order to be healthy. The Apostle John said: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul [mind, will and emotions] prospers. 3

The love and nurturing of God is sometimes compared to the love and caring a mother gives to a newborn. Paul referred to a new Christian as "babes in Christ", 4implying a connection to Jesus and God as mother as well as father. The Apostle Paul said we were gently among you as a mother feeding and caring for her own children. We loved you so much that we gave you not only God's Good News but our own lives too. 5

The Apostle Paul knew the agape, self-sacrificial love of God, he displayed towards the church of the Thessalonians, but there is another kind of love at work which we rarely hear about. Storge is affection, such as a parent has for her children. It is being kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. 6 It is the glue holding all other types of love together. It is the medium by which all love operates. It's the humblest love, showing appreciation for God and His children, expressed with thanksgiving for their works. It is to respect and serve, to help and care for and to encourage others. In other words, family love [storge] is the framework in which agape love is expressed.

We learn to love by the examples we have around us. We can never truly know the love that God intends for us to experience unless we are born of God's love. It is His love that motivates us to love. If we grow up around love with many hugs, kisses and encouraging words, we will respond with similar ways. A powerful expression of love is what motivates a family towards success and prosperity in this life and in the life to come. In all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 7

Regrets

One of my favorite photos of my mother shows her with her Bible on the church steps. My dad volunteered over nine hundred hours in the building of that church. I watched him dig deep pilings while laying the foundation. It was a lot of fun as a ten year old kid watching the church being built and helping my dad when I could carry something.

My regret is that I did not build my own life from the word of God being proclaimed by the lives of my church friends. I had a choice to either build the foundation of my life upon the Rock or the sand. 8 I was hard headed, focusing on the sandy things of this world,-desiring to gratify my flesh instead of focusing on the solid Rock promises of God's Son, Who gave His life for me to see the world of the kingdom of God. As a result, I never experienced the power, love, righteousness, peace and joy in life that only the Holy Spirit can give. 9

For awhile, I blamed the church for not being more on fire, but finally I saw that it was my unwillingness to receive what the Lord had to offer me as a teenager. I reached out and took hold of the things of the world and made it my own, instead of grabbing hold of the things of God. Just as Jesus said: "The light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil." 10

Lost Memories

There were many wonderful memories that were never created because of my foolishness. Not only for my family and I, but for the families of my victims. They never got to even experience letters, phone calls and an occasional visit like I did for the thirty-three years before my mom's death. There is absolutely nothing I can do about this loss except warn those who might make the same mistake of not listening to their parents and God's promises for a successful life. The relationship God forms with us and those we form with others are the most important facets of our life.

My mom often talked about her funeral, planning it to be a very special occasion. The hymn "Others° was sung, because her thoughts centered on others. She tried to pass this trait on to me, but instead she was able to comfort those who were suffering, because of the comfort she had received during the trials I caused her.

I left home in 1967, a very self-centered person, no fault of my family. I broke mom's heart, but she loved me unconditionally anyway. There was never any doubt of her forgiveness. She was the best, but of course we all think that of our mom. She's living with Jesus now. Her voice rings in my ears as I hear her singing throughout heaven. She made sure that I had several pictures of her for my wall which I greatly treasure, so she is always close to my heart. I know she would be proud of me today as I live thinking of how to reach out to others. I think she would be very proud of me. It makes my heart glad to know that I have ended up honoring my mom. 11

Homecoming Day!

One day soon I will get to see my mom in heaven. This is the blessed hope for all of us who have received Jesus. 12 To not only see Him at His coming, but to see our loved ones who have gone before us. As the old hymn goes, "When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory." I get all excited just thinking about it.

The Apostle Paul said: And now, brothers and sisters, I want you to know what will happen to the Christians who have died so you will not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, God will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died. 13

I can tell you this directly from the Lord. We who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in their graves. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. So comfort and encourage each other with these words. 14

A Prayer For You:

My desire is to help you experience the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Let us pray together the following prayer:

O God, my Father, I thank You for my dear mother who I celebrate this day. May this be a wonderful day of fellowship spent with her. I pray for those whose mothers have gone to be with You. That they will enjoy many sweet memories of their mother, while longing to be with her one day when we meet Jesus face to face. I thank you Holy Spirit for sealing me as God's special possession, knowing that on that glorious day He will receive me unto Himself. Thank You for being my Comforter, filling me with Your righteousness, peace and joy. In Jesus Name. Amen!

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