Mother Mary

Today in worship young mothers tended their little ones -- whispering in the child's ear, finding toys in the bag, pulling snacks out, holding the hymn book, rocking a babe...

Isn't that what Mary did with her son, Jesus? Care, direction, comfort, and gently guiding through an activity or event comes naturally for a mother.

Proverbs 31 further directs us toward walking righteously as a woman. An excellent wife is a prize to her husband as she maintains a relationship with her husband, remains a good steward, takes physical care of house and household, extends self beyond family, and develops proper attitude and actions in fear of the Lord.

Mary's poem, "the Magnificat," gives insight to her journey with God during her time in waiting for the birth of her babe:

My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

For He has regard for the humble state of His bondslave;

For behold, from this time on all generations will count be blessed.

For the Mighty One has done great things for me;

And holy is His name.

And His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who fear Him.

He has done mighty deeds with His arm;

He has scattered those who were proud in thoughts of their heart.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones,

And exalted those who were humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things;

And sent away the rich empty-handed.

He has given help to Israel His servant,

In remembrance of His mercy,

As He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and his offspring forever.

Luke 1:46-55

Mary was not focused on the uncomfortableness of pregnancy, but on the majesty of the Lord. Her heart was toward giving praise for His mercies to His people and provision to those in need.

The path does get tiring with little ones pulling a mom in many different directions. A mom might want an escape from the noise and chaos that seems to overwhelm the atmosphere of the "Christian house". Having a moment to self might seem impossible. The reward comes at a later time.

For me, the children are grown and have children of their own. The reward for all the stress and tiredness from the past is in the present. I look and see my son and his family and daughter and her family serving the Lord. Jesus Christ as God's Son, Savior of all, has been passed to new generations.

Did Mary have a clue that her son, Jesus, would one day pass a new message to new generations? Did she know that Jesus, Son of God, came to earth that all might come to know Him?

Did Mary also have hindsight that left her past with a reward coming at a later time? Between the past and the future lay faith in her God - she clung to love, His mercies, and exaltation to Him.

What do you cling to?

Col: 1:16-17

I loved this reading from the lectionary at worship this morning.

May you be made strong will all the strength that comes from His glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. (Col. 1:11-12)

How often do I think something should be completed or solved RIGHT NOW? This spoke to my heart again the reminder to "Be still and know that I am God." (Ps. 46:10)

Hymn: You are before me, Lord

This hymn words are based from Psalm 139. I love the tune as well -- for me it is a prayer to Our Lord.

Note: this work is under copyright, so cannot be taken from here and sold. Used from The Presbyterian Hymnal -- #248.

You are before me, Lord

You are before me, Lord, You are behind.

And over me You have spread out Your hand;

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

Too high to grasp, to great to understand.

Then from Your Spirit where, Lord, shall I go;

And from Your presence where, Lord, shall I fly?

If I ascend to heaven You are there,

and still are with me if in hell I lie.

If I should take my flight into the dawn,

If I should dwell on ocean's farthest shore,

Your mighty hand will rest upon me still,

And Your right hand will guard me evermore.

If I should say, "Let darkness cover me,

And I shall hide within the veil of night,"

Surely the darkness is not dark to You;

The night is as the day, the darkness light.

Search me, O God, search me and know my heart;

Try me, O God, my mind and spirit try;

Keep me from any path that gives You pain,

And lead me in the everlasting way.

Poem from God: My Child

My Child

See the original at http://www.fathersloveletter.com/video.html

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in My image. Genesis 1:27
In Me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are My offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, all your days are written in My book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know Me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from My hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts of you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Ps 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are My treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all My heart and all My soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find Me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to My heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father and I love you even as I love My son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, My love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of My being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of My love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of My son Jesus, you receive Me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from My love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is - Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad, Almighty God