The Gift of Mum

Today we observed Mother's Day in Australia.  It can be a day of remembrance and reflection, a reminder to reach out in gratitude and thankfulness, and an official opportunity to give credit where it is due.  None of us would be here today without a mother who carried and bore us, and those who have nurtured and cared for faithfully by a mother have much to be thankful for.

The love of a mother is a special one, and I was reminded today how God knows all about it.  God is our Father, yet all dads and mums are a gift to children from Him.  Jesus said in Luke 13:34, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!"  Jesus used an analogy from nature, but who created chickens with the brooding instinct, to gather and guard her little ones?  It follows then the good care, affections and bonds we observe and admire in the animal kingdom springs from the goodness of our Creator.

The scripture is filled with examples of godly mothers:  Eve was the mother of all living, Sarah spoke up to protect her son Isaac's birthright, and Rebekah worked to ensured Jacob received the blessing of his father according to God's promise.  Hannah was faithful to her word according to God's faithfulness to her when she dedicated her son Samuel to the LORD.  During his formative years she was separated from him and made a little coat for him to wear when she visited him annually in the tabernacle.  Rizpah, Saul's concubine, guarded the executed corpses of her two sons and 5 other family members from birds and beasts night and day for months.  When Mary heard she would conceive the Messiah by the Holy Spirit she said by faith in God, "Behold the handmaid of the LORD!  Let it be to me according to your word."  After the shepherds came to find Jesus at his birth Mary heard their testimony of the angels and "kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."

In these examples we see faint outlines of gracious love and kindness God has for His children.  The treasure of a godly mother is of greater worth than gold, and her persistent and enduring care is most admirable.  All blessings we experience in life come from God alone, and in honouring our mothers we honour the LORD who graciously provided one for us.  Love you mum, and I thank God for you. :)