A Mother's Love
-- Mark Ryder
We have just recently celebrated Mother's Day, an event that was first observed in 1908, 100 years ago. However, it wasn't until 1914 that congress officially declared the second Sunday in May as "Mother's Day." I think we would all agree that Mom richly deserves her day.
Perhaps you've read this light-hearted look at how God created mothers. I wish I could tell you who wrote it but the source is unknown.
How Moms Were Made
By the time the Lord made mothers, he was into the sixth day of working overtime. An Angel appeared and said, "Why are you spending so much time on this one?" And the Lord answered and said, "Have you read the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic; have 200 movable parts, all replaceable; run on black coffee and leftovers; have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up; have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart; and have six pairs of hands."
The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one. "Six pairs of hands! No Way!" said the Angel. The Lord replied, "Oh, it's not the hands that are the problem. It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!" "And that's on the standard model?" the Angel asked. The Lord nodded in agreement, "Yep, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks the children what they are doing even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of the head is to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. And the third pair is here in the front of her head. They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word."
The Angel tried to stop the Lord. "This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish." "But I can't!" The Lord protested, "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick andand can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine year old to stand in the shower."
The Angel moved closer and touched the woman, "But you have made her so soft, Lord." "She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."
"Will she be able to think?" asked the Angel. The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate."
The Angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak with this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one." "That's not a leak." the Lord objected. "That's a tear!" "What's the tear for?" asked the Angel. The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride."
The Angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything for this one. You even created the tear!" The Lord looked at the Angel and smiled and said, "I'm afraid you are wrong again, my friend. I created the woman, but she created the tear!"
Well, I'm quite sure that's not exactly the way it happened but it nonetheless makes for some interesting reading!
In this week's column, I ask you to consider with me three characteristics of a mother's love.
A Mother's Love is Sacrificial
The last chapter of the book of Proverbs contains a description of "The wife of noble character." From the context it is clear that this woman is also a mother. Notice some of what is said about this woman as it relates to her role as mother in Proverbs 31:15, 21, 27
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
This wife and mother puts the needs of her family ahead of her own and sees to it that those needs are provided for regardless of personal cost. Note the first part of v. 15. "She gets up while it's still dark." This mother is no slacker. She is industrious and willingly gives up her time and energy to see to it that the needs of her family are met.
The story is told of a little boy who came up to his mother in the kitchen as she was preparing supper one evening and handed her a piece of paper listing the things he had recently done for her and a breakdown of the costs of his "services".
Mom stopped what she was doing, washed her hands, and then began to review what her son had so proudly written. The page included such items as: For cutting the grass - $10.00. For running to the store for you to pick up milk - $2.00. For watching my baby brother while you were doing laundry - $1.00. The youngster had quite a long list and at the bottom of the page he highlighted the total he felt he was due, which was a handsome sum of money for a boy of his age.
His mother looked at him for a while and the boy sensed that memories were running through her mind. She picked up a pen, turned the page over and began to write her own list that looked like this:
For the 9 months I carried you while you were growing inside me - No Charge
For the nights I sat up with you and prayed for you when you were sick - No Charge
For the times when your disobedience made life difficult for me - No Charge
For wiping your nose, cooking for you, giving you toys, and clothes - No charge
Total cost of my love - No charge
She handed her list to her son, who read it. With tears in his eyes he responded by saying, "Mom, I sure do love you!" And then he turned the page back over to his list and wrote in big letters right over the top of it, "Paid in full!"
That's the heart of a mother. A mother's love is sacrificial.
A Mother's Love is Nurturing
I would direct your attention to the following passage, which is also taken from Proverbs 6:20-23.
My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck.
When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.
For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life.
As we continue, I would ask especially that you bear in mind that second line in v. 20 that speaks of mother's "teaching."
There was never a question in my mind as to whether or not my mother loved me. In fact, there were assurances every day of her love because she took care of my needs, had time to listen to my concerns, and she was affectionate. However, I want you to know that her love for me was neither mushy nor sentimental. I don't think she ever said, "Why, my little angel is incapable of dong anything wrong!" (In fact, I don't think she probably ever referred to me as an angel.)
My mother's love was nurturing. She was gentle and supportive, but she taught me what was right - and corrected me when I needed it. A mother's love is tender, but that should never be confused with her love being timid.
Mothers give so much of themselves to their children for a reason. They want to see our potential developed. They nurture us so we can grow up to be solid citizens - able to be productive in every area of life - and if some discipline is needed along the way, that's no problem.
Our Daily Bread says of Susannah Wesley that she "...spent one hour each day praying for her 17 children. In addition, she took each child aside for a full hour every week to discuss spiritual matters. No wonder two of her sons, Charles and John, were used by God to bring blessing to all of England and much of America."
Susannah Wesley, according to that same devotional written in Our Daily Bread had various rules she observed in training her children. I think they are well worth considering and here they are.
Subdue self-will in a child and thus work together with God to save his soul. Teach him to pray as soon as he can speak. Give him nothing he cries for and only what is good for him if he asks for it politely. To prevent lying, punish no fault which is freely confessed, but never allow a rebellious, sinful act to go unnoticed. Commend and reward good behavior. Strictly observe all promises you have made to your child.
A mother's love is nurturing. It has an end in view. It isn't sloppy sentiment. It's tender but not timid.
A Mother's Love is Persistent
I Corinthians 13:4-7 from the New Living Translation reads as follows.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Genuine love is persistent. It isn't easily discouraged and that's exactly the way mothers love their children - tenaciously! I like this characteristic of a mother's love best of all. Mothers love their kids...period. It doesn't matter what they do or how far they may stray. Mothers don't stop loving their children, though unfortunately their child's refusal to respond to that love may cause a separation in their relationship. A mother's love is persistent.
Helen Steiner Rice wrote these beautiful lines...
A Mother's love is something that no on can explain,
It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it or take that love away.
It is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters even though the heart is breaking.
It believes beyond believing when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty of the rarest, brightest gems.
It is far beyond defining, it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret like the mysteries of creation,
A many splendoured miracle man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence of God's tender guiding hand.
I think you would agree with me that a mother's love's is indeed something very special. It is sacrificial, nurturing, and persistent. In fact, a mother's love is a beautiful illustration of the love God has for each of us.
God's love is sacrificial. He loved us so much that he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, into this world to provide for the forgiveness of our sins through his death, resurrection, and ascension in to heaven.
God's love is nurturing. He disciplines those who have responded to his love in Christ in order to help us become all he would have us to become.
God's love is persistent. He continues to love us despite our failings and persistently seeks to draw us to himself.
At this season, it is fitting that we express our love and appreciation to our mothers. If, like me, your mother is no longer living, you can give thanks to God for her influence.
Above all, I would encourage you to yield to the great love of God by first receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior, and then by submitting your life to the teachings of God's word.
|
