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Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day. One of those "Hallmark" days when cards and flowers are almost mandatory expressions of love from sons and daughters to their mothers. In my family, we don't have any hard and fast traditions that we adhere to in terms of celebratory get togethers. Schedules and locales don't always allow for everyone to be together at the "right" time, and so whatever day I can see any of my children or grandchildren is special to me. Having them all together is indeed rare, and so we arrange this whenever opportunities present themselves.

This year, I received a card and gift from one child out of three. Am I disappointed? No way. As I drove my son to the bus station today after a three day visit, he said "oh yeah, today is Mother's Day." I guess it wasn't a priority for him to remember the day, let alone buy me a card. He was apologetic about this, but I told him that having him for a visit was a gift in itself. And he knows I meant it.

When they were small, my kids all made the usual "treasures" and hand made cards in school for Mother's Day. I wish I had kept more of them. Those days seem so long ago, and I often wish I could go back and relive just a few of those precious times.

Being a mom is a gift in itself. Lots of women aren't able to have children who want them desperately. God blessed me with three. Every day is "Mother's Day", because every day is a day I know they are out there, grown up now, and making their way in the world.

Being a mother doesn't end when they grow up and leave home. They don't always make the choices that I would want them to, and this is sometimes hard to watch. Yet I have the wonderful privilege and blessing of lifting them up to my Father in Heaven, and asking Him to bless and keep them, and to bring them into His family. I can no longer watch over them and make sure they are safe, but He can. So I lift them up today, and trust that He will. I thank Him for them, and for the awesome privilege of being their mother, every day.

10 comments:

Ruth said...

I LOVE THE PIC! AND HAPPY MOM'S DAY TO YOUUUUU ! XO

Leonard said...

Happy Mothers day Mac, U 2 Ruth.
Best
Leonard

Ike said...

Your daughter in the middle with the blue blouse looks just like you!!


Our practice of taking a day to honor our mothers is certainly a practice in accord with Scripture. It is not a holy day, marking an important event in the life of Christ, but it is a fine cultural practice. But what could it have to do with the Lord’s Supper?

Everything in the world teaches us something about God, if we have ears to hear it. Every relationship we have reveals something important about God, and this includes our relationships with our mothers. This is not to accommodate the feminist conceit that God has "a feminine side," but rather to acknowledge that all things declare His glory.

For example, one of the things that our mothers do is prepare food for us. They think ahead, they prepare the menu, they shop, they set the table, and they cook. This happens so routinely that for many children it takes years to realize that this is not something that happens by itself. And God also does this. Scripture says that He prepares a table for us, even if in the presence of our enemies. External obstacles do not deter Him.

God prepares a Table, and this is that Table. The fare is simple, but it is wisdom for the upright. The bread and wine might seem like the preparations were spare, but this meal cost more than any other meal possibly could. Our redemption, Scripture teaches, was not secured by means of precious gold or jewels, but rather through the blood of Jesus Christ—offered for blessing through this cup to those who have sincere faith.

You are a very loving and faithful mother and I honor you for that!

Walking Church said...

Good post - thanks for sharing the handsome family snap... who took the picture? giggling - I think I know.

Any of these designated days drive me nuts to an extent...Christmas included. Expectations and onuses...bounds like bondage (legalism).

Nice Grace you put on the day...I like it. Yup it is all about relationship!

Maureen said...

Hi Ruth. Thanks, it's one of the few I have of the whole bunch of us together. One to treasure.

Maureen said...

Thanks Leonard. Say hi to your mom for me!

Maureen said...

Ike, you have left some things to think about (as usual!) Thanks for your comments.

Maureen said...

Walking Church: the thing that bothers me about these "man made" special days is exactly what you say here, expectations and onuses. Plus the fact that those who haven't been able to "be" a mother can often have the pain of that disappointment heightened as they observe all the fuss over the women who have. And Christmas can be an even lonleier day for those already living in solitude and isolation.

I wish we could live each day celebrating the birth, death and resurrection of Christ, as well as appreciating everyone that we are in relationship with, for what they are: gifts from a gracious and loving God.

Wendy Love said...

Maureen,
I love your description about being a mom and I agree that it is a privilege. You put it so well.
Wendy Love

Daveda said...

Maureen, thanks for the visit. It is wonderful to meet you.

I have found that God is asking us to trust Him to lead us through our husbands, even when it seems they may not know what they are doing LOL.
I have come to realize that I don't have to be afraid because no matter who is leading, God is in control.

I look forward to getting to know you better. Thanks for stopping by :)