WEDNESDAY IN THE WORD    May 10, 2023

Mothering Is a High Calling

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT

Love is patient, love is 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.

I have read that Mother’s Day is the third most celebrated holiday in the world behind Christmas and Easter. Given that reality, let’s find creative and compassionate ways to make Mother’s Day meaningful for all those in the role of mothering that honors the God who sees All. It is the kind of mothering role of nurturing, teaching, and providing compassionate support.

The importance of honoring motherhood, in the best of times and even when it is difficult, is to express gratitude by asking God to bless the mothering we receive. God is the source of of all comfort, mothering, peace, joy, love and hope into generations to come. God is merciful. God guides, corrects, and enables us to do the same as members of Christ’s great family. You see, God is all the virtues of a perfect mothering character—strong, protective, tender and loving comfort. In fact, in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, God is described as “the God of all comfort.”

God is not so far away from us that we cannot feel God’s presence. God is available to smooth the rough edges in our lives. Although some circumstances are not so welcomed, it’s still possible to feel God’s comfort. Yet, in such times when we struggle to be together, not apart; it’s through “motherly” care where we can thrive.

If you have experienced the death of your mother, this could be a day of mourning and grieving as you remember her, and how much you miss her, and if you are like me we remember how much we would like to talk to her again, to hold her again. Yet, no matter how many months or years pass; we cling to her deepening spiritual touch through God’s comfort.

God cares for his people like an eagle hovering over her young (Exodus 19:4b).

“You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” The eagle is a very powerful bird that has great strength. God is all powerful and has great strength. Eagles are very caring parents. They protect their young with a high nest. Both parents bring food to the eaglets and teach them to fly. If an eaglet struggles in flight, a parent will swoop under the young bird and carry them, so they don’t fall.

God wants us to rely on him and only God knows our need. And it is God’s blessing for us to be carried by someone else.

In this season, let us remember those who significantly made an impact in our life. Who might yours be? How were they significant? We remember best when mothering enters into our lives through memorable experiences. Because in the midst of many influences out of our immediate control, we give thanks to God for the gift of mothering, whom God calls to nurture us, regardless of the circumstances. Remember them in prayer. God of Mercy, we praise and honor you with affectionate gratitude for your blessings, your motherly love, both gentle and fierce, both strong and humble, both kind and true. Lord, thank you for sending us all who served as mothers and those who remain serving in this time. May we put our trust and hope in you always. May we lean more on you as we grow closer together in our faithfulness; as we love and comfort each other. And may we never give up. Have a Blessed Mother’s Day! Amen.

Rev. Carole