Mother's Day

For many of us, when we look back on our childhood, we made motherhood an adventure for our moms. Not only are there the things we remember, but there are the stories we are told from before we can remember. Within my first couple of years I already had stitches, opened a screen door latch with a broom, terrorized the neighborhood with a water hose in the winter, and who knows what else?! Fast-forward to my 18th birthday, and I did not slow down much on the adventure. Through it all, my mom was there. She could get on my case when I was wrong, but she has also always been my biggest cheerleader!

Other than Jesus and God, there is only one other person who is seen from the beginning of the Gospels to the end. That one person is Mary. From the announcement of His birth, to his birth, to fleeing for their lives, Jesus made His mom's life an adventure too. Then at 12 years old, when Jesus went missing for three days, Mary was actively looking for her son. She was there for His first miracle, and pops up throughout many other scenes. Then, at His execution, she is at the foot of the cross. I believe, other than His Father, Mary was His biggest cheerleader.

The Holy Spirit, when inspiring the Gospel writers to record the life of Jesus, could have only included necessary facts. Outside of the virgin birth, many details about Mary could have been left out. However, Mary has a place of prominence in the telling of Jesus's story. That is because she is His mom. Moms have a place of prominence in all of our stories. They shape us into who we are. Even when we lose our mom at a young age, that shapes who we become. Those that have less than stellar moms are shaped by their moms. Those who are adopted are shaped by the one they call mom. Moms are a very important part of who we are!

So, take time to say thank you to your mom tomorrow. If you cannot tell her thank you, thank God for her. Without her, you would not be. Regardless of her short comings and failures (because we all have those), you are who you are because she chose to give you a place in this world!

God thank You for creating moms. When You were creating the universe, You could have have brought us into existence by any number of means. Yet, You chose to give us a special relationship unlike any other. No matter what she is called in any language, there is no one like her. Thank You for giving us that gift!