Mothers

We lost a member of our family this week, mother of five, grandmother of many. Her name is Roberta, my daughter's mother-in-law. She had some significant health problems, but even when we expect death to come, it takes us by surprise. A scene played out over and over again down through history, children gathered at their mother's bedside, knowing she'll soon be gone from their life.

Someone once said...."You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at her mother every time around - and why her mother will always wave back."

Roberta was a little gal, not much more than 100 lbs., but big on what matters. She was generous, compassionate, feisty, and loved and protected her family with great passion. She was talented and giving and brought joy to many. She and I agreed on many things, for instance....'No matter how old a mother is, she watches her middle-aged children for signs of improvement!'
We cried together on the phone the day we lost our mutual grandson before his birth; our hearts melted together - no one else would have understood.

I was once speaking to a group of both men and women and I casually commented that 'I had a perfect mother.' Facial expressions changed suddenly, in fact, it was amazing to watch. I had the idea not too many thought their mother was 'perfect'! I quickly explained why I knew that to be true. I didn't have any input in choosing my parents, just like I didn't choose my height, body shape, color of eyes or tone of my voice. It is all God's doing! His plan is infinite, we just see the finite. We can all say the mother we have, or had, is perfect for us, chosen by God.

Refer to Psalm 139:13 ".....you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Our mother's womb, probably the safest place we've ever been!

Sometimes the Lord, in all His all-knowing wisdom, swaps our blood mother for another one. So many have been loved and nurtured by those who didn't physically bare us. Even though there may be a sincere yearning for the 'real' mother, know that the one who raised you was hand-picked by God. A friend of mine once said, "We really don't become an adult until we're able to forgive those who raised us." Yes, this 'mothering' isn't, humanly speaking, an exact science! We learn along the way and react to our children differently, often based on how they react to us.

I won't be speaking at Roberta's memorial tomorrow, but if I were, this is what I'd say.

"God is our creator. He gives us life, that little spark that science can't quite explain, that ignites to create a living being. God has a purpose for each life He creates. He has set our boundaries and determined what period of history we're born into. He has carefully chosen our parents and siblings, or lack of them, and like a potter with a lump of clay, has molded us into His plan. The physical part of our body will perish, but the energy which is 'us' will live somewhere. Our life here lasts for a moment; eternity is forever. All the days of our life have been written in His book, before there was one. He doesn't count us like grains of sand on the beach; He calls us by name. His timing is perfect, and just a He choose the time for our birth, He will choose the time of our death, having numbered our days and counted our steps. When it's time to join Him, He sends angels to come for us. Nothing interferes with His plan and from God's point of view, no life has been cut short, or lasted too long. Sometimes, God speaks to us in a whisper, and we whisper back. Our faith may not be evident to anyone but Him."

Some thoughts of a more secular nature, but true never-the-less. Many things in life will change us, but we start and end with family. Children are living messages we send to a time we will not see. A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary.

Thank you Lord that you chose the perfect mother for me, and thank you for Roberta's life.

A very Happy Mother's Day to all you moms!

Scripture references used....

Genesis 2:7 - man became a living being

Ephesians 2:10 - we were created for good works

Acts 17:26 - our times have been set and the places where we'll live

Romans 9:21 - God will mold us into who He wants us to be

Psalm 139:16 - all the days of our life have been written in a book

Job 14:5 - our days have been determined and limits set

Job 14:16 - our steps have been counted

Ephesians 1:11 - God plans everything in accordance to His will

Luke 16:22 - angels will escort us to heaven

I Corinthians 2:9 - what God has prepared for those who love Him