Mountains and Moms
This morning I am finishing up Lonnie's Lines from the Smokies. "The Mountains were Calling", so Patti and I took off Friday and headed up for a quick trip to answer the call. One of our favorite places in the Smokies is the valley known as Cades Cove. Usually when you take the 11 mile loop you will see beautiful vistas, wildflowers, and wildlife. We were not disappointed. On this trip around the loop, we saw several turkeys, a deer resting in the woods, and thirteen black bears. My favorite encounter was a Momma bear, just feet away from the road, with her two active cubs, playing nearby in the woods. Though the cubs were romping around, Momma was definitely in control.
God knew what He was doing when He created Moms! Recently, I found a cutting board with a "Recipe for a Special Mom":
Kindness, Faith, Joy, and Love are just a few of the traits that make Moms so special. I know that I am blessed to have an incredible Mom who helps instill my values, drive, and even determination. I also had "non biological" mothers, ladies who were important people in my life - who also made a huge impact on me. And thankfully, I still have those special ladies who continue to encourage and help to strive to be my best. The Bible is full of strong women who significantly made an impact on the World. We find them in the Old and New Testament accounts, from Eve to Mary the Mother of Jesus, as well as Timothy's Mother and Grandmother. The lineage of Jesus, recorded in Matthew, mentions significant women, many that might normally be looked over, or even avoided. Moms and Mom-like people have been and still are critically important. I thank God for Mom's and "Mom-like" ladies who continue to help mold and make our world today.
Sunday is officially "Mother's Day", when in fact, everyday should be. We will be honoring our Moms in Worship. I hope you will be with us as we celebrate the significance of Moms. And remember, Call Your Mom! And Always Remember...
You ARE Loved!
Pastor Lonnie
"More in '24"
(You can reach Pastor Lonnie by calling or text 615-496-2502 or send an email to lonniecastle@gmail.com)