Mother's Day

Two passages come to mind this Mother's day.

"How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. " Matt 23:376

How could God reference Himself as a protective mother, lest He'd poured His compassionate nature into the mother's heart?

"She watches over the ways of her household. " Proverbs 31:27

In many ways a mother can be seen as a lighthouse, a beacon in a child's life. She is a landmark that her children can always count on. She shines the light of Christ at night and she serves as a landmark by day. She is watching out over the sea of faces to protect her tiny fleet. Like the hen that protects her chicks, Mom is present, and Mom is available, and she's on guard.

The words "watch over" mean "to hedge about as with thorns," much like a mother bird might do to protect her young. These same words are also used in the Bible as a military term, such as to watch over a city. Can't you just see it now: the lighthouse standing tall, not tossed by the surf, guiding her children safely to shore? But this beacon watches out for more than the physical safety of her fleet. She watches out for their spiritual and emotional needs as well. Her gaze is not a casual glance. She doesn't just give her children an "once-over" before they rush out the door to make sure their hair is combed and their socks match. This is a mother who actively guards, protects, saves, guides, and attends to those precious to her.

When children approach adolescence, they desire Mom to be less visible. However they want to know the sentinel is still available. Being available for that teen after school is paramount. They need a refuge, a safe harbor after a day of social combat. Who will they turn to? Whoever is available and willing to listen. If it is not you, it will be someone else. And just who that someone could be is a scary thought.

Being physically present is not the mother's primary goal. Having the greatest possible impact on her home is. You can be physically present and still not make a positive impact. You can be there, but not be all there. You can become so wrapped up in other pursuits, so focused on struggles, so preoccupied with keeping the castle clean and checking items off your "to do" list, so engrossed in television or a good book, that you are oblivious to the fingers tugging on you, or the teenager who has become withdrawn and sullen. If you are going to be there-then be all there be there with the heart uniquely designed in you by God.

I write these words to praise and encourage each of you today. It's my sincere hope that each of you will keep up the good work and may God bless you. As we all take this day to reflect on how wonderful and special each of you truly are, may we realize it more than just one day a year. It is my prayer that we will honor our mother's by living a godly life each day. Happy Mother's Day! Eric