Sunday Devotion

Welcome to the Sunday Devotion. We celebrate Mother’s Day today. On Mothers’ Day social media overflows with pictures of mothers and wonderful tributes. I join many others in remembering my mother – her kindness, her wisdom, her perseverance and determination. So many adjectives come to mind. Take a moment to reflect on your mother or a mother-figure that you admire.

Many years ago, my pastor asked me to offer a testimony about my mother using a scripture that expressed something about my mother. I struggled a bit with that. Google didn’t exist yet. What came to my mind was not a set of adjectives, but an action. I found my mother in Jesus’ words, “Feed my sheep.”  My mother was ready to offer a strong, yet quiet, determination to “feed” the sheep in Jesus’ flock. I remember her working so hard to welcome others to a meal at our house. She was always ready to provide what was needed, whether it was food, encouragement, or opportunities. She worked hard to provide a life where people had the opportunity to attend church and be fed by the word of God. This was the woman who during World War ll sat up all night in the church building to keep it from becoming a dance hall. So I offered the scripture, “Feed my sheep” to paint a picture of my mother.

I did use Google this time to find scriptures that offer characteristics of mothers and mother-figures. I say mother-figures because I think it is important to acknowledge that not everyone has a positive mother in their life. But hopefully everyone has found someone who has been a mother-figure (female or male).  I offer the following scriptures to help us find those special characteristics of a loving, wise, and devoted mother.

In Proverbs 1:8-9 we find this reference to mothers: "Pay close attention, my child, to your father's wise words and never forget your mother's instructions. For their insight will bring you success, adorning you with grace-filled thoughts and giving you reins to guide your decisions."

In another Proverbs scripture (Proverbs 31:25) we find a wonderful description of a mother: "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." I must admit, when I read this one, I laughed at the reference “she can laugh at the days to come”.  A few weeks ago, I sat with a couple of my adult children sharing memories of their antics when they were small, and also their escapades as teenagers. We may laugh at these teenage adventures now, but the adventures of teenagers are not so funny when we first experience them.

In 1 Peter 3:4, we read this advice to mothers, "You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."

We commend the loving characteristics of mothers and mother-figures today. Pay attention to the characteristics of someone devoted to God and God’s love. Those are all characteristics of people we need in our lives. It is important that we ALL proudly be mother-figures and offer God’s love, grace and generosity. These are characteristics that show no gender. Be thankful today for “mothers” who make a difference in our lives and the lives of others. And be ready to be that person for another.
 
(Author: Bonnie Barber) 
 

Many years ago, my pastor asked me to offer a testimony about my mother using a scripture that expressed something about my mother. I struggled a bit with that. Google didn’t exist yet. What came to my mind was not a set of adjectives, but an action. I found my mother in Jesus’ words, “Feed my sheep.”  My mother was ready to offer a strong, yet quiet, determination to “feed” the sheep in Jesus’ flock. I remember her working so hard to welcome others to a meal at our house. She was always ready to provide what was needed, whether it was food, encouragement, or opportunities. She worked hard to provide a life where people had the opportunity to attend church and be fed by the word of God. This was the woman who during World War ll sat up all night in the church building to keep it from becoming a dance hall. So I offered the scripture, “Feed my sheep” to paint a picture of my mother.

I did use Google this time to find scriptures that offer characteristics of mothers and mother-figures. I say mother-figures because I think it is important to acknowledge that not everyone has a positive mother in their life. But hopefully everyone has found someone who has been a mother-figure (female or male).  I offer the following scriptures to help us find those special characteristics of a loving, wise, and devoted mother.

In Proverbs 1:8-9 we find this reference to mothers: "Pay close attention, my child, to your father's wise words and never forget your mother's instructions. For their insight will bring you success, adorning you with grace-filled thoughts and giving you reins to guide your decisions."

In another Proverbs scripture (Proverbs 31:25) we find a wonderful description of a mother: "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." I must admit, when I read this one, I laughed at the reference “she can laugh at the days to come”.  A few weeks ago, I sat with a couple of my adult children sharing memories of their antics when they were small, and also their escapades as teenagers. We may laugh at these teenage adventures now, but the adventures of teenagers are not so funny when we first experience them.

In 1 Peter 3:4, we read this advice to mothers, "You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."

We commend the loving characteristics of mothers and mother-figures today. Pay attention to the characteristics of someone devoted to God and God’s love. Those are all characteristics of people we need in our lives. It is important that we ALL proudly be mother-figures and offer God’s love, grace and generosity. These are characteristics that show no gender. Be thankful today for “mothers” who make a difference in our lives and the lives of others. And be ready to be that person for another.