Thanks to Mom and Mothering God!

 

Happy Mother’s Day!  That is what we say this Sunday as we celebrate the mom’s in our lives.  Some of the birthed us, some raised us, some loved us enough to invite another family to care for us. 

It has been seven years since mom died (if my math is correct!)  I called her several times a day, just because she had a knack for just listening, offering reassurance, and in the last year, I could tell her almost anything because I knew she wasn’t going to remember it anyway!  

Mom was a stay at home mom, most of the time we were growing up.  She would work temporary jobs from time to time with the census bureau, state income tax office, and I think she did retail one Christmas (she wanted the discount but not sure it was worth it because she only did this once.)  Her job was to run the household.  

Granted, it wasn’t as busy as it is now for parents—Greg and I were involved in things, but nothing near the amount youth are today.  Greg was diabetic, in a time before pumps and he could be quite brittle at times.  I know this weighed heave on mom, but she volunteered hours on hours for the Juvenile Diabetes foundation.  She never missed a school or church event, she told us we did a good job when we know we didn’t do so well!  She taught me to sew, to cook, tried to teach me to iron.  

But the greatest gift my mom shared with me was faith.  She wasn’t what I would call a church lady, but at the same time, I saw her regularly do her devotions before bed, we went to worship regularly, she encouraged me to be active in the youth group and the youth choir.  Many of her friends in her later years were the ladies from her women’s circle and bridge group.  

In Luke 13, scripture reads:  At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’

As I celebrate Mother’s Day, I also continue to celebrate the mothering desires of our Lord Jesus the Christ—as a mother hen who longs to gather us together under her wings.  We live in a world not unlike the people of Jerusalem—so I pray for all the mom’s, and our mothering God who longs to bring us together.  Amen.