Hello. I hope you had a very Happy Mother’s Day! Cindi and I were out of town last weekend watching our grandson, Kohen row with his high school crew team on the Potomac River in Washington D.C. A few words regarding Jesus’ mother: Jesus had a good mother. Mary loved Jesus and taught Him about life and living, lessons we can learn too. When we take a look at Luke chapter 2 we find that Jesus’ mother presented Him to God (Luke 2:22). She carried Him to worship (2:42). She trusted Him and gave Him freedom to be Himself (2:44). She was concerned about Him and didn’t always understand Him (2:48-50). She gave Him responsibility and held Him responsible (2:48). She treasured His life (2:51). She provided for His growth in every way and so He grew in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man (2:52). She expected great things from Him (John 2:5). And Jesus exceeded every expectation. What about us? As parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, and family and friends, do we live our lives before the boys and girls who will be following our words and examples in a way that will lead them to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men? Yes? Terrific! Let’s keep on keeping on. No? Let’s make a real change today and get on the right track.
I can still hear my mother telling me to “Wash your hands.” To a little boy this request is more complicated than you might think. Even when I did, there was usually an “inspection” and a “do-over.” Mothers require the entire hand to be clean and not just the palms. I remember her saying, “Think before you speak. Once a word has been spoken, though you might apologize over and over again, you can never take it back.” Oh, how true this is! Have you ever gotten thinking first and speaking second out of order? So, have I. And afterwards though we might say, “I am so sorry” we find that the word spoken ahead of thought echoes still. We can do better. I remember my mom saying, “Son, guard your emotions.” These words she often spoke to me as I walked out the door on my way to pick up my date for the evening. Isn’t it amazing how a mother knows exactly what to say at just the right time? Her words echoed in my head for the rest of the evening. They still do. My mother is gone now, gone but never forgotten. I know there are no perfect people, only Jesus. The Bible tells us to “Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise, that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:2-3). I want my life to be well and I want to live as long as I can, so I will honor my parents. How about you?
We missed one of our very best Christian brothers last Sunday, Brother Eulas Chism. He passed from this life into Paradise on Sunday, May 1st surrounding by his dear family. His body was laid to rest on Wednesday the 4th. May God bless Lavonne and the Chism family. God is so good to us; yesterday, today, and forever. May we live for Him every day in a way that honors Jesus Christ, His most precious gift to the world.
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