Bet y'all couldn't have figured out that this week's thought was going to focus on 'Mothers', could you? I know these emails go out to a wide variety of women, and I don't want to exclude anyone. Some of you reading this may not be mothers by timing or design, but we all have one (whether we claim her or not, is a different story!) Have I ever told y'all about my mother? Right now as she's reading this, I'll bet she's bracing for the worst! Relax Mother, it's okay. My mother is a regular spit-fire. She barely clears five feet on the measuring tape. She has short blonde hair and clear blue eyes. She's loud, mouthy and she's also fearless. About two years ago (give or take a couple of months) she and my dad decided to give up their comfortable, normal life to become big rig truckers. Yes, you read that correctly. You see, the empty nest syndrome had kicked in, and they wanted to see the country. So, rather than buying an RV to tour the States in, they went to trucking school and bought a shiny new red Volvo big rig, and now criss-cross the country hauling loads of anything you can imagine. They are having a blast. However, when she first told me of her plan, I thought she'd lost mind. I still worry about her. I'm the oldest child. It's my job to worry about my mother. I began to think of Someone else who worried about His mother...
Jesus had a mother. God so perfectly orchestrated everything for us. Jesus came from a woman. Jesus, who was King of everything, and never needed to be confined by space and time chose to limited by the itty-bitty living space of His mother's womb, just so He could fully understand each and every human emotion we have. One of those emotions was the incredible bond that exists between a mother and her son. Any of my girls out there reading this, who has gotten married, knows exactly how strong that bond is between Mommas and their baby boys! Go with me to the book of John. We are at the very end of Jesus's life. The following events are not recorded in the other Gospels, possibly because in this instance, Jesus was speaking directly to John. Jesus has been flogged to within an inch of His precious life, literally most of His blood is gone from His body. He has been hanging on the Cross for almost three hours, He is dehydrated and severely weakened. Speech at this point in the day was nearing impossible. His mother was watching. My stomach turned as I typed that last sentence. My boys are upstairs asleep, safe in their beds. Yet two thousand years ago, one mother's baby boy (regardless of His age, He was still her baby) was not resting peacefully in His bed, He was hanging on the Cross for the world. And still, He thought of her: "When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved [John] standing nearby, he said to his mother, 'Dear woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' From that time on, this disciple took her into his home." (John 19:26-27) Jesus was the oldest child in His family. He was the oldest Son. He had responsibilities of the household that rested on His shoulders, as well as the weight of the world. He made sure that His mother was not only going to be physically provided for (He had other brothers that could have easily done that) but He made sure that she was spiritually provided for, so He left His mother in the care of one of His most trusted friends. He worried about His momma. He was making sure, with some of His final breaths that she was safe and okay.
Each year we set aside to day to honor our mothers. We remember them. We say thank you to them. As Mother's Day draws closer this year, remember the mothers in your life. Let them know how much you love them. Let them know you worry for them. Let them know you pray for them. I don't get to see my mother as much now that she's on the road again...hey, isn't that a song? But in this world of instant messaging and email and cell phones...it's so easy to pick up the phone to let her know that, "I just called to say I love you...." (yep, another song) Happy Mother's Day!
And now, some funnies....
Pregnancy Q & A
Q : My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current. (I can vouch for this one!)
Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant. (And all God's sister's said, AMEN!!!)
Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy. (Umm, maybe I should've had this advice about six years ago...I would've spaced mine out a little further!)
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