mothers

I’m thinking about mothers today. The kind of mother who sticks with you through the thick and thin. The kind of mother who gives the best, while she takes what is left over. The kind of mother who works late into the night (or early in the morning) to get “it” done.

We are discussing I Corinthians 13, today at church, and I suppose that is the kind of mother I am thinking about.

As it says in The Message:

“Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.”

Of course, no mother is able to do all of this perfectly every day, but it does describe the heart of a mom who is doing her best to take care of her family through the ups and downs of life. It is a portrait of remarkable women who make a difference in the lives of their children.

All that said…”Happy Mothers’ Day, Mama.” You are exactly the mother I am thinking about today, and I’m thanking God for letting me have you as my mom. I hope I have been the kind of mother you have been to me, and I pray that my daughters will continue in your example.

And, Mom, the end of I Corinthians 13 has the guidance and the promise for you (and us) in these sad days that we are living:

“We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.”

I see you hoping and trusting and loving, and that helps me keep walking. Thank you.

I love you,
g

live with him

“The only way to prepare to meet God is to live with him so that to meet him shall be nothing strange.” Phillips Brooks

When you know somebody…you know them. Not perfectly, of course, but you can have a good idea of his/her thinking/reaction patterns; you can be aware of past activities and choices; and you can understand some of the motivations or his/her life. It is no different than what we can learn about God when we spend a lot of time with him. Our relationship with God is just that…a relationship. It can be spare. It can be untruthful. It can be us doing the talking. On the other hand, our relationship with God can mirror the relationship that Mary modeled. Mary’s relationship with Jesus consisted of sitting at the feet of Jesus; looking up lovingly into his eyes, and hanging on to every word.

When I meet Jesus, at the end of this life on earth, I want nothing to be “strange” between me and him. That means I have to live as close to him as I can. It also means I need to know how he feels about things…what he sees as important…what he would give his life for.

The Bible says that God chose Noah to save the people and animals of the world, from the big flood, because Noah walked with him. I believe that God is still looking to people who walk with him…people who spend time with him…people who know his heart...people who live with him.

I want to be one of those people.

g