Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mothers Day dear sisters and brothers, from different mothers.  

I do hope this Sunday morning finds you well, physically, mentally and spiritually.  

Church sign says:  No services.
God is making house calls.
(God may not be in this house (church) but He promises to be in yours.)

During this recent pandemic, much news has been  to applaud the efforts of those on the front lines and essential workers.  We all say a huge thank you!

Today, we want to honour and give God thanks for another group who are working on the front lines and are essential workers within our homes and community. Some are working from home, some are struggling financially, some are grieving the loss of their own mothers, some are caring 24/7 for the needs of their families, and some are caring for neighbours and friends.  Today, we celebrate mother's day when we can say thank you to mothers and those who have been like moms to us.   

Mother’s Day Responsive Reading

I invite you to read this responsive prayer

All of us are either a son or a daughter.

Thank You God for my mother!

For those women who have joined God in Heaven and whom we miss dearly here on earth.

Thank You God for the mothers of the past.

For every woman who is working day and night to raise her children right now.

Thank You God for the mothers of today.

For all the women who are expecting, but aren't quite mothers yet!

Thank You God for the soon-to-be-mothers.

For the women who took in others' children through adoption and foster care.

Thank You God for the mothers with hearts so big.

For those women who have lost a child to death and must carry on.

Thank You God for the mothers who are so strong.

For all the women who have desperately wanted to have children of their own, but chose instead to mother everyone else.

Thank You God for the mothers in spirit.

For ALL women, who have been like mothers to us,

We thank you, Lord, for the women who have influenced our lives in so many ways.  We pray that we will honour them in everything we do.  Amen.

 2 Timothy 1: 5

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Background:

This single verse from the 2 Timothy passages we have been referring to lately, describe how God uses mothers and grandmothers to raise children in the Christian faith.  Paul, the writer, calls this faith, “sincere faith”.  The word sincere leads us to believe that Timothy’s mom and grandma knew Christ and loved him with all their heart and soul, mind and strength.  It is such a faith that is truly authentic and is openly displayed in their lives, so much so that Paul tells Timothy, that because of their teaching and role modeling the faith, it also lives in Him.  Paul says he is persuaded, meaning that He has seen Christ-like, authentic and sincere faith being passed down and now lives in the life and ministry of Timothy.

My thoughts:

Today is Mother’s Day.  As I hear these words of Paul, I think how blessed I have been to have had the influence of my mother and grandmother who showed me who Jesus was in their lives.  For them and many other women, like my sister, teachers, youth leader, church members, especially my wife and daughters, I say thank you God.  

Perhaps your are one of those moms we celebrate today, or maybe you have had very similar blessings from your birth mother, or maybe not and yet God in in His amazing grace and love for you has sent along other godly women who have been like a mom to you.  

Being so influenced, let us fan into flame a sincere faith, that we too can pass it down to others.  Thank You God for our moms and those who have been like mothers to us. Amen!