Sunday Devotions - Happy Mother's Day!

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:17-19

There are lots of moments with my kids that I treasure. I still have the first painting my boys ever made. I treasure their unique interests and the moments I get to share those interests with them. I cherish every good night kiss and hug I can get because I know someday they'll think they are 'too old' to kiss me goodnight. The older my kids get the more I am learning to cherish the little things with them; playing Ring Around the Rosie and sitting on the sidewalk watching cars go by or simply talking to them. They are growing up so fast. Try as I might, I'll never be able to remember every moment of their lives.

I treasure their futures too. Someday will have careers, hobbies, families of their own. I don't exactly know what their futures hold but I pray everyday that my kids might become the people God needs them to be and that the experiences they have, good or bad, might be of good service to their lives.

Yip talks all the time. Enough to drive me nuts most days but I know that God has a purpose for his talking so all I can do is wait...and hope that his talking will be fruitful. Jesus' mother Mary treasured her Son too and pondered his future. She knew Jesus was God's own Son but did this young mother truly understand all that role entailed? Did she realize the sacrifice she would give 33 years later of returning her earthly child to His Heavenly Father? I imagine she knew from the very beginning that life for her would never be the same. And she pondered. 

All mothers ponder. I wonder, if we knew how much time we would spend worrying and thinking on children, if we mothers would change our minds about getting pregnant in the first place! But I'm glad Mary and my own mother decided to stick it out and raise their children through the worry and stress of our futures.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!

Dear God, Thank You for Mothers!! What a wonderful gift of sacrifice they bestow upon their own children. Thank You so for Mommy Mary (as we call her) and the childhood she gave to Jesus. Amen.

Sunday Devotions for Kids - Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful mothers (and grandmothers) out there! Enjoy your day!

God has given us a wonderful gift in our mothers but God has also given us the gift of BEING a mother. Mothers have been given a great responsibility in raising their children. There are so many mothers who seem to raise their children easily. 

The apostle Paul understood, however, that being a mother wasn't a simple task and those who raised their children in the eyes of God should be praised. In  II Timothy 1:5 he writes,  "I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." Not only did he mention the faith of Timothy's mother Eunice but of his grandmother Lois as well. From this passage it was obvious the love and devotion these women had as they diligently taught Timothy the stories of the Old Testament, the laws of God and the scriptures.  

Being a mother is not easy and sometimes it may be hard to have confidence that we are doing a good job of it! But God loves mothers and he has provided guidance for us in his word.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Or,

"She that bare thee shall rejoice." (Proverbs 22:6.)

"I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths." (Proverbs 4:11.)

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which The Lord your God gives you." (Exodus 20:12 RSV)


I don't know of any better way of honoring my own mother than by hugging her today and telling her thanks for the wonderful job she has done as my mother and the fantastic job she is doing as a grandmother too! Thanks MOM!!

A picture of Mom and Dad with me; 1976

 My mother holding Yahoo when she was less than a day old, 2009.