There are certain messages that are easy to prepare for. Good Friday, Easter and Christmas are easy messages for any pastor, minister or clergy person to write. You would think that a special day like “Mother’s Day” would be an easy one to prepare for too. I, as well as other pastors, ministers or clergy persons, would tell you that it is not very easy to write a message about mothers for several reasons.The first reason is that there are not enough words to adequately describe all of the wonderful and loving things that they do for their children and for their families. A mother is the hub and spokes of the household. She keeps the family moving and sets the daily cadence. Her responsibilities are too numerous to list. She does everything that is needed without expectation of thanks or acknowledgement. She is tireless in her desire to provide a loving home for all. Mothers are God’s special gift to the world.
In Isaiah 66, God tells His people, “12 I will give Jerusalem a river of peace and prosperity. The wealth of the nations will flow to her. Her children will be nursed at her breasts, carried in her arms, and held on her lap. 13 I will comfort you there in Jerusalem as a mother comforts her child.”
God provides the Israelites with a wonderful image of care and comfort by comparing His desire to nurture and nourish His chosen people to that of a mother caring for a child. Mothers every day and moment take care of their children by providing for their children’s basic needs of shelter, warmth and nourishment. When a child is in need of comfort, she never turns her children away. Her arms are always open and ready to protect and comfort them. Even when children grow up, they still need the care and comfort of their mothers.
The great English author, journalist and poet, Rudyard Kipling, said it best when describing mothers, “God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.”
The second reason that it is so very difficult to write a message about mothers is that they live a life of humility. As I look back on all the times, my dear wife, Karla, took care of our ailing daughter, she would be the one who cleaned up all of the messes and gave her medications. No matter how difficult or disgusting the situation, Karla, like every dear Mother, quickly became everything that was needed.
In the poem, “The Gift of Life,” the author writes this about adoption, but I feel that it is more than just about the joy of adopting a child, “No, I didn’t give you the gift of life, life gave me the gift of you.”
Every mother would say the same thing. Children give their mothers a gift every single day. Just the fact that they love them gives them that special, warm feeling in their hearts. When mothers receive a card or a telephone call not just on Mother’s Day, but on any day, their hearts fill with joy and their minds remember all the sweet, sweet moments of their children’s lives. Each birthday, holiday or whatever the occasion, comes to mind. Even the bedtime stories and moments of staying up all night with a sick child gives them a wonderful love that few can experience.
I guess when you think about it. It is easy to write and prepare for a Mother’s Day message. While writing this message, I thought about all the times my own mother gave up so much for her two sons. She did whatever she needed to do, not for fame, glory or reward. She did them out of love for her children.
Although my mother has gone on to her heavenly reward and is now with the Father, her memory, sacrifice and, most importantly, her love will continue to live on in my brother’s heart as well as my own. There is never a day that goes by when I do not think about her. I sometimes laugh and there are times when I cry. But no matter what I am feeling at the moment, I always come back full circle to my love for my mother.
In time, like the old song written and sung by Johnny Cash, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” I realize, “There's a better home a-waiting. In the sky, Lord, in the sky.”
We will all be reunited just like Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15, ”52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.”
I often wonder what I will say to my mother when I see her again. I thought about spending hours and hours telling her about everything. I could celebrate the details of the victories and skim over the defeats. But, the one thing I know I will say is, “I love you, Mom, so very much. Thank you for everything and the gift of love.”
When I was growing up, Mom had the responsibility of raising up my brother and myself to be good Christian men. She prayed over us when we traveled or was there with a kind ear to listen to us when we felt sad or depressed over something. Like all mothers, she always knew what to say and when to say it. Sometimes, she did not even have to say a word. Just the fact that she was listening made all the difference in the world.
I hope that each of you will go to your mother and thank her for everything that she did and continues to do in your life. I would even ask you to thank other mothers on this special day and let them know that what they do daily is appreciated beyond the mere and meager words we could string together. Each will thank you and smile. Theirs is a thankless job, but there is no occupation or job more difficult and yet fulfilling like being a mom.
Let her know just how you feel and thank her. Mothers are gifts from God and when we thank them, we need to thank God as well. When we do that, we can stand firm in His grace.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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