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As a mother comforts her child,

so will I comfort you

~Isaiah 66:13

 

Good morning dear sister!

This is the day the Lord has made! We rejoice in Him every day for His faithful, loving care!!

It may come as a shock to you, but I am ambivalent about particularly rejoicing on ‘special’ days that draw attention to myself, like my birthday or Mother’s day. Do you think that’s weird?

My rejoicing on these occasions is always tempered with wondering how I ‘should’ feel if (or more likely when), one of my sons forgets it’s a special day or gets too busy to call, it’s too late to send a card and texting seems lame! They have families too, and a lot going on! I’m thankful they honor the mother of their children! 

I love my family and I’m not keeping score about who responds, even though I feel as if the world is always telling me that I should. After all, through every type of media we are told that there are certain expectations to be met if we really want to show our love.

Part of me resists all that. Are we, as children of God, to be trained in the world’s ways? I’ve chosen to celebrate these days by looking to the Lord. I may be uncertain of other’s behaviors or responses, but I can always be certain of God’s response to me! Yes, He’s my heavenly Father, my Abba, and He cares for me and is as attentive as a mother comforting her child! 

God has put in the hearts of children the desire to run to their parents when they need comfort, so it seems only natural to run to my Abba for comfort. After all, most of the time He’s the only one who can fix my mess or advise me on what I need to do to fix my mess. Parents don’t generally go to their children looking for affirmation or a word of advice. (or thanks, lol) We get our affirmation and advice from our heavenly Parent!

Of course God, being the perfect parent, has given His children a commandment about family relationships. Ephesians 6:1-3 says: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother'—which is the first commandment with a promise—'so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth'"

Have you noticed that even God, the creator of our universe, had to dangle a carrot at the end of His commandment stick? There’s a reason for that!

We are by nature, self-centered and self-preserving beings. We are born into this world helpless and utterly dependent. As we grow, we become more self-sufficient and independent. This maturation usually comes about by positive reinforcement ( the carrot) or, if we are prone to rebellion (the stick) This seems to be the natural progression.

Spiritually, God has a different model. He began our relationship with love for us before we even knew Him! He says to us ‘I have loved thee with an everlasting love.’ (Jer. 31:3) He cares for us so faithfully that He made every provision for us to have a relationship with Him before we even knew Him! God’s sacrificial love is the perfect parental example!

As His children, we have this kind of love for our children! We prepare for their arrival, rejoice in their presence and sacrifice much to ensure their future! Yes, we’re happy when our children are obedient and thoughtful, but we are not parenting to see what we can get out of them but rather pouring into them what will make the way for a relationship with God, which leads to a happy and fruitful life!

‘For God so loved the world that He gave…’ is our model and our motto!  

Sacrificial love can only come with God’s help. We learn from God our Father, Who gave His Son. We look to the Son, who gave Himself. Our children look to us…. and another generation is raised up to God’s glory!

Praise God that He celebrates mothers every day! Our toil, our joys, our troubles, our triumphs are all held in His father’s heart! He knows the valleys we walk through, and the sacrifices we make for our children’s provision. He celebrates with us the joys of motherhood and the worth of every child He knits in their mother’s womb! He promises to always be our comforter as we minister to those He has given us. 

What better gift than that?

What a mighty, but tender and loving God we serve!

Happy Mother’s Day, every day!

With love, your sister, Celeste