Love My Mom!
Sarah, birthed her first child at age 90, Issac, which means "laughter". Abraham, Issac's dad, was 100. God promised Sarah, even in her elder years, that she would be "a mother of nations". And she is. Jochebed was Moses' Mom, hid and protected him for three months. Then she willingly gave him up to save his life, and raised him as his 'nurse maid". She was also the mother of Aaron and Miriam, who were all significant in the freeing of the Hebrews from the Egyptians. Hannah prayed for years to have a child. When Samuel was born, she dedicated his life to serving God. Samuel became a great Priest and Prophet. Hannah had five more children. Rahab, was a prostitute who hid the Israelite spies, protecting them and helping them escape, prior to the fall of Jericho. The reformed Rahab was the mother of Boaz. Naomi was Ruth's Mother-in-law and treated her as her own daughter. After many tragic events, such as deaths and famine, Ruth meets and marries Boaz and is the mother of Obed, father of Jesse married to Nitzevet the mother of David, who would become the greatest King of Israel. and let us not forget the teenage mother, who was selected to be the Mother of the Messiah, Mary. And grandmother Lois and mother Eunice raised Timothy to become one of the leaders, even at a young age, of the early Church. God has used many Moms, Grandmothers, and Mother-in-laws to make significant differences in the lives of many!
In the winter of 1959, in February, Nancy Breeding "Baby Doll" Castle, became a Mother for the first time. Yep, I had the privilege of making this beautiful lady a Mom. And I must say, she has been an incredible, encouraging, stubborn, and loving one too. I love my Mom and thank God for her! She is a big reason that I became the man I am. She always believed in us and encouraged myself and my sisters to "be whatever we wanted to be". And I had two amazing Grandmothers, Elanor or "Granny" and Cora, or "Totie" who showed me love as well. And then I was so lucky to have the greatest Mother-in-law that one could imagine. And along the way I have had many other "second Moms" who loved me so deeply and dearly. God knew what He was doing when he created Eve, which led to the magic of Moms and Momlike important people in our lives.
On this day that we "Celebrate Motherhood", I encourage you to stop, pause and pray - thanking God for the loving, influential, and encouraging women in your life. And if you are lucky to still have them around, then touch base with them and tell them how important they are to you and THANK THEM! SO, THANKS MOM!!!
A special thank you to Michael Card who shared last Sunday. I hate that I missed his teaching. But I heard it was informative, enjoyable, and applicable. Thanks Mike!
I hope you will join us this Sunday as we continue our look at the "Fruits of the Spirit". This week we will be looking at the foundational fruit "Peace". And I am sure we will have something special to share with our Moms. I hope to see you there.
And ALWAYS Remember...
You ARE Loved!
Pastor Lonnie