Jim's Clip

Mother's Day is quickly approaching, a time for honoring and saying thank you to mom.  For many it will be a day of remembering that most wonderful person.  I am blessed to still have my mother, and you can know that she will read this article.  Although I am not a financially wealthy man, my mother endowed me with riches which cannot be stolen, lost or taxed.  Let me explain.

In the home of my childhood there was always unconditional love.  What price can be placed on that?  My brother and I did regular "boy things" in our growing up, and we found ourselves in our share of trouble.  We were disciplined consistently and sometimes it was painful.  But any discipline was always administered in a context of love.  Mamma used to say, "I love you, and I want everyone else to love you too."  She knew that we could not be allowed to "do our own thing" when we were so young.  Like all children we needed loving guidance and a firm hand.  We were always secure in knowing that we were loved, that home was a safe place, and that she would be there making home for us.

Because of my mother I am rich in things of faith.  She taught us to pray over each meal, to pray at bedtime, to give thanks, to worship regularly in Sunday School and church services, to trust God in times of trouble, and she taught us to sing.  It's unfortunate that we sometimes do not realize the value of something until years later.  It was during the Gulf War that I realized how rich I am to know so many hymns.  Soldiers love to sing, and in our religious services I gave them the opportunity to request their favorites.  Almost without fail I could lead the troops in singing their selections.  For me the songs in my heart are a wonderful treasure given to me by my mother.

I am rich because my mother instilled hope in me.  Hope enabled me to have a vision for my life.  Hope enabled me to persevere when disappointments arose.   Hope enabled me to believe that the future would be better.  Hope enables me today.  And I have hope for eternity because of Jesus Christ who died on the cross of Calvary for the sins of the whole world and rose from the dead and is alive forever more!  I'm sure it was my mother who first told me of Jesus and His love.

I feel rich in so many ways because of my mother, but space is limited.  I cannot pinpoint when mamma gave me all these intangible riches.  They are the result of her many years of pouring her life into the lives of her sons.  She is the most selfless person I have known.  Her generosity has always been amazing.

Mothers reveal certain characteristics of God's love.  Paul's writings in I Corinthians 13:4-8a state, "Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.  Love does not demand its own way.  Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.  It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  Love will last forever,...." (New Living Translation)

In giving "The Ten Commandments" God said to honor father and mother.  Mother's Day is May 13th.  Let's make it special.