Saturday, May 11, 2024

My Mother, My Friend

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13

    My mom wasn't one to idly loaf around. Even when watching television, if she saw a cobweb lurking in a corner, she'd jump up to swat it down. 

    One of her favorite pastimes was crocheting afghans because she could be productive while watching Judge Judy. She'd usually select two colors that complimented each other well before setting to task using her favorite chevron pattern. Her fingers would fly, the hook a blur; she made it look effortless. The joy of creating something was evidently edifying to her as she showed me her latest work when I'd come by.

    My mom went home to Jesus almost nine years ago; I miss her sorely. When I was reading one of my favorite psalms this morning (Psalm 139), it dawned on me that before my mother was, God is. It was He who chose a bit of my father and a tad of my mom and married the two together to create me, an original work. With nimble fingers of grace and wisdom, he "knit me together in my mother's womb."

    He whose angels escorted my mom home, will come for me as well, taking me to be with Him (and her) for all eternity. Oh, what a friend I have in Jesus! Of all the wonderful things my mom did for me, the one that means the most is introducing me to Him, her best friend and Savior and mine as well.

    For Mother's Day some years ago, I wrote this poem for her:

My Mother, My Friend

From pinning my diapers

And tying my shoes,

To playing board games

When I had the blues, you were

My Mother, my friend.


From mending my clothes

And forcing me to school,

To taking me to church

To learn the Golden Rule, you were

My Mother, my friend.


From enduring my cats

And fixing dinner,

To soaping my mouth

When I was a sinner, you were

My Mother, my friend.


From teaching me manners

And all social graces,

You encouraged me to make

Friends in all places, you were

My Mother, my friend.


From teen to woman

And all stuff in between,

You always stood by me

And you'll forever be...

My Mother, my friend.


Thursday, May 2, 2024

Bend the Knee

 "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." Luke 9:26

    Beneath the brilliant sky of blue, my husband and I attended a track meet to see my sister's grandson compete. As we approached the field, it was easy to spot Mason, tall and blonde. Finding a vantage spot on the fence line opposite the pole vault area, we enjoyed the sunshine watching students from many local school districts competing. 

    Time and again, this student and that one did their best to vault above the bar until finally I saw Mason grasp his pole. I was excited to see how he'd do, but it was what he did prior to his athletic attempt that both thrilled and humbled me.

    He bent on one knee and bowed his head to God in prayer.

    There, in the center of a busy field of activity, time seemed to stop as I saw this young man of fourteen humble himself before his Savior. 

    It caused me to ask how many times have I paused to pray in public areas? Or am I prone to go along with the crowd, not wanting to call attention to Jesus by my actions?

    Though Mason's way was not pharisaical in any way, he introduced Jesus to others who may not know Him by putting his faith into action.

    Whether he won the competition or not became secondary to the victory he claimed on bended knee in an athletic field. He is a winner.

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2: 9-11