THE BLESSING OF ALL MOTHERS

“THE BLESSING OF ALL MOTHERS”

Monday, May 9th, 2022

SCRIPTURE:

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

– Proverbs 22:6

She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.” – Proverbs 31:27-29

THOUGHTS TO PONDER:

Back in 2001, I lost my father unexpectedly of a heart attack. His passing left a void in my life and in the life of my wife and children. Over the years, in each congregational setting that I’ve served, Jill and I have discovered and experienced the Church as a family. The church is a blessing for families of all shapes and sizes (so-to-speak) for those who have lost their spouse or a parent or a child even, we can indeed find the great qualities of a loving family in the local church. I particularly see the family dynamic represented quite well for those who are widows and widowers.

As clergy, we are so blessed with the humble privilege of entering into some of the most dynamic and often complex family systems in the local church. The church can very well become an extension of our family. Even so, for families whose biological members may live out of town or even be deceased, the church is a wonderful place to connect and belong. Again, the Church is indeed a family. Though not everybody is physically and biologically related, we are brothers and sisters in Christ.

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION:

Yesterday was Mother’s Day. Every year, we celebrate the blessing of ALL women who have been nurturing, loving, and caring mothers to us all. I realize that not every woman is a mother, and not every person was raised by a nurturing, loving, and caring biological mother. Thanks be to God though, that there are indeed women who have loved each of us in one way or another.

And so, as you recall Mother’s Day celebrations yesterday, consider not only your own mother, but how the women of Christ’s Church have unconditionally loved, taught, nurtured you, the children within your flock, and perhaps even your own children. And give God thanks!

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank you for all the women in my life who have been like a mother to me and to our family. Help me not to take for granted the connections we have in the local church to share in fellowship, worship, spiritual growth, and service. Reveal to me, O Lord, ways I can show appreciation for the women in my life who exemplify Your love, Your mercy, and Your grace. And most of all, O God, I give You thanks for Your unconditional love as a loving parent to me even. Guide me, teach me, mold me, and make me into the member of Your family that You would have me to be. I humbly pray in the name of Christ Our Lord. – AMEN

RESOURCE & APPLICATION:

Write down and contemplate the blessings that your mother and/or mother-like figure has been in your life. And then with intention and giving this exercise your undivided attention, consider writing a letter of praise and thanksgiving to this individual.

As a further exercise for transformation, consider writing a personal thank you letter to the women in your family, in your life, and in your ministry setting who have exemplified a mother’s love. I trust your words would be a tremendous blessing. And give God thanks!