The keyword today is "relationship."
Have you ever known of folks that only come around when they need something?
Theirs is a quest to "get." Perhaps one of the charms of Mother's Day is that we use it to acknowledge the giving nature of Mom. Some of us who have taken a little longer to grow up know the overwhelming generosity of Mom to be a fact.
But, I wonder, for those who are blessed to have their Mothers alive on this day. Wouldn't it be even more honoring if our daily lives were sprinkled with spontaneous time just to talk to Mom? Not to get anything, not just on special occasions, but really just because we love her. We enjoy hearing what she has to say. Simply Her presence is a gift. We like her company.
I bet she would like that added to contact time -- not instead of Mother's Day, but to make Mother's Day ongoing throughout the year, with a special celebration marking each new year of continued relationship.
Yep! There is a difference, isn't there. There is a difference between "going to see to get" versus "going to see to be with." The difference is in motivation.
Jesus sees this difference.
Here is an account in the book of John of the Holy Bible.
READING FROM JOHN 6:24-40
Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
When they found Him on the other side of the lake, they asked Him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"
Jesus answered, " I tell you the truth, you are looking for Me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On Him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."
Then they asked Him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
Jesus anwered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent."
So they asked Him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it my Father who gives you the True Bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread."
Then Jesus declared, "I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
But as I told you, you have seen me and still do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do My will but to do the will of Him who sent Me. And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I shall lose none of all He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
***
Dear Saints,
Mother's Day is often a day of gathering around good food and Mom.
To be quite blunt about this, it should also be a time for spiritual action.
Otherwise, some of our lost relatives will have to wait until Mom's funeral to hear the Gospel preached.
It's better to give Mom respect and flowers while she is alive. And, it's better still to communicate the Gospel now so that she can see her offspring saved during her lifetime,God willing.
Let's tell someone about Christ Jesus today, perhaps an unsaved loved one or two or three as we gather to commemorate Mother's Day.
May we be quick to listen, and slow to speak this day. But, when prompted by the Holy Spirit to speak, may divine utterance arise in us from Almighty God to say exactly what is needed. May God go before us, through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, and use the breath He has given us to deliver the message of redemption in a way that our hearers can receive. May that seed of Truth ---the Truth that Christ Jesus saves us sinners--- be so planted and watered that salvation ultimately results.
May the love we communicate to Mom today spill into all of her days as we walk the Christian path in right relationship with her and with God. Let's daily recognize the jewel that she represents.
Let's cooperate with the Holy Spirit. In His power, let God's Word become contagious, Saints! Not for earthly gain, but for a royal crown to cast at Christ's feet when we see Him. Let's do this realizing that the true richness of this life is not in what we consume. Rather, it is in right standing with God made possible only through our treasured relationship with Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Lord.
Jesus is indeed the Pearl of Great Price!
Amen!
Happy Mother's Day!
--Olivia M. McDonald, :) <><
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