Power Points
May 8, 2011
MOTHERS
We all have them in that they are the God-given path of entry into this world. They come in all shapes and sizes and with various hairdos and manners of dress. Most mothers are loving, even sacrificial, in their care for their children. Most mothers have the responsibility for meal planning and cooking at least in much of the world. So mothers bring us into the land of the living and they help us to survive once we get here!
There are a few women I would call universal mothers.
First, there is Eve, the first woman and the first mother according to the book of Genesis. She was God's idea, and she was hailed as a helpmate or completion to Man. In that sense, she is the mother of us all. She is also well known for her encounter with the serpent in the Garden of Eden and the downfall of Mankind. As her descendants we still struggle with the same issues of obedience versus rebellion, listening to God or the devil, trusting God's word or doubting its validity, walking humbly with God or allowing pride to lead us to destruction.
Eve had two famous sons, Cain and Abel. One worshipped God with a humble heart and the other was filled with resentment, jealousy and envy. Cain killed Abel and thus murder was born and brought into the world. Many mothers see their children as gifts from God and they desire that their children love each other, and live in harmony, so their hearts grieve when there is hatred or violence among the children.
Second, there is the mother of God's Son, Jesus Christ. Since Mary brought our Savior into the world, there is a sense in which she is the mother of us all, at least of those who love her Son and cherish Him as their Savior.
God promised Eve that one day He would defeat Satan through a woman. That woman was Mary. So just as sin came into the world when Eve handed Adam the forbidden fruit and he ate it. So salvation came into the world when Mary gave birth to Jesus.
Third, I think of a woman in more recent times, Mother Teresa, the saint who labored with the destitute and dying of India. Though she did not mother her own children, she birthed a movement that is alive and growing throughout the world today. She also set an example of grace and love when she reminded us that when we help the poor we are helping the Lord Jesus. Though a humble servant, she became known throughout the world for her selfless acts of kindness and compassion. She advocated for the poor and the unborn, those who had little or no voice of their own.
So let us give thanks for godly mothers and Christian homes, but let us also remember the less fortunate as we count our blessings. Let us share God's mercy and love which we prize so dearly with those who need it most.
Blessings be to all God's children!