Through A Mother's Eyes! (part 1 of 2)

Tomorrow is marked on the calendar as “Mothers Day!” How sad if it takes a date on the calendar for mothers to be honored for the glorious work God has called them to fulfill. One day a year is not adequate recognition for the sacrificial way in which most mothers live and have lived.

Motherhood holds a blessedness from God in ways I as a man may never fully comprehend. It seems that God created mothers with the resilience to stand by their children even when life situations are difficult to understand. This is no more true of mothers than it was with Mary whom God had chosen to bring the Messiah into this world. I have spent this past week reflecting on four moments in the life of Mary that I will be sharing in tomorrow’s sermon here in Port Townsend, Washington USA. Let me share two of them with you; one today and, Lord Willing, one tomorrow.

Though each birth of an infant may seem routine to the doctors, nurses, or midwives who assist the mother in this grand event, this is not the case with the mother. To her, each new birth is UNIQUE and SPECIAL. Where some might see ugliness, a mother SEES BEAUTY. Where some may not see value, a mother SEES SOMETHING TO BE TREASURED. Where some might see hyperactivity, a mother SEES CREATIVITY AND ABILITY to accomplish. Where some might walk away, A MOTHER IS DRAWN TOWARD. Where some see just a baby, a mother SEES ONE WHO WILL CHANGE THE WORLD!

The conception of Jesus was an EXCEPTIONAL OCCURRENCE. ( Luke 1:34-35) But immediately following our Lord’s birth and as He began to grow, the attention and statements of others started filling this mother’s heart with SPECIAL MEMORIES. Following the shepherd’s visit and their report of the appearing and message of the angels, we read that “Mary TREASURED UP all these things, PONDERING THEM IN HER HEART.” ( Luke 2:19 ESV) When Jesus was presented at the Temple following the days of purification according to the law ( Luke 2:22-23) they were met by Simeon who made remarks of which both Joseph and Mary “MARVELED AT WHAT WAS SAID ABOUT HIM.” ( Luke 2:33) Then, at the age of twelve, when Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the Temple sitting among the teachers who were amazed at His understanding and answers ( Luke 2:46-47), after Jesus responded that He must be in His Father’s house, again we read that “HIS MOTHER TREASURED UP ALL THESE THINGS IN HER HEART.” ( Luke 2:51 ESV)

MOMENTS to a mother BECOME MEMORIES for a lifetime. The events associated with the lives of their children become A TREASURE HOUSE of memories. Jesus lived a life of PURE BEAUTY in word and deed. He was and is truly to be TREASURED as SPECIAL. He came and BROUGHT WONDROUS CHANGE to this world. My world. Your world.

And so Mary watched Him grow.
“And Jesus increased IN WISDOM and IN STATURE and IN FAVOR WITH GOD AND MAN.” ( Luke 2:52 ESV)

How are we continuing to grow? Let us mature in the likeness of Jesus, for this is the way we honor God as well as the mothers who brought us into this world.

Have a great day KNOWING THE TREASURE OF THE RELATIONSHIP!
Carl

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