Honor Your Mother

Mother’s Day is one of the most beloved holidays on the calendar.  The mere mention of Mom evokes a feeling that symbolizes a lifetime of love.  Whether she is called Mother, Mom, Mama, Mum, or Mommy, the woman who takes care of her household and gives birth to her children is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30).  So take a moment today to praise your mother for everything she has done for you.  From changing your diapers and cleaning up your messes to being your personal chauffeur to countless activities and giving you a priceless treasure trove of wisdom, your mother has loved you unconditionally since the day you were conceived.  Whether you buy her a sentimental card or a bountiful bouquet of flowers, the most important thing you could do for your mother is to let her know you appreciate her and you love her.

Perhaps you are like me and your mom is no longer living on this earth.  You may question, “Why can’t we fast forward through the commercials mentioning Mother’s Day, avoid the greeting card aisles, and stop hearing about all of the endless celebrations honoring mom?”  The answer is simple.  God wants us to honor our mothers every day of our lives.  Ephesians 6:2-3 says, “‘Honor your father and mother’--which is the first commandment with a promise—‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’”  You see, we are not only to honor our parents in order to please them.  We are to honor our parents in order to please God.  By doing so, God has promised that we can enjoy a long life on this earth.

As a child, it seemed that nothing could ever separate my mom, dad, and I.  We were like the Three Musketeers.  In my mind, we would always be together.  I already had plans of building a house on our property upon getting married.  My children could see their grandparents every day of the year, providing we were not busy traveling the globe.  I knew it would be amazing to have my mom close by, to answer all of the questions that marriage and motherhood would raise.  Suddenly, though, on August 2, 2008, all of my dreams for the future came crashing down around me.  My mom had a heart attack and went to be with the Lord.  There was no warning, no chance for goodbyes.  The world as I knew it up until that tragic night changed instantly.  Nothing could have ever prepared me for the void in my heart.

That’s often how things happen.  Life changes in the blink of an eye.  In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation, establishing the first national Mother’s Day holiday.  Less than three months later, World War I ensued, resulting in over 22 million casualties.  I’m sure on the first Mother’s Day, many mothers and children alike never dreamed their lives would change forever over the course of the next four years.  But the family members who survived this catastrophic battle likely became closer knit, held together by an even stronger bond of love, with the complete realization of how fragile and precious life truly is.  Even though their lives changed drastically, they continued living life.  They did not stop honoring their parents, but continued to honor them through the way they lived their own lives.

Since my mom passed away, bittersweet memories still cloud many aspects of my life, especially on Mother’s Day.  While things have changed, and I no longer know what God’s plan is for me concerning marriage and motherhood, I know for certain that God holds my future in His hands.  I may not understand everything He has planned for me, but I trust in His perfect will.  Romans 8:28 says, “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” My dad and I love God.  We know we are called to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am grateful for our shared heart for ministry and music.  God has blessed us with a strong father-daughter bond.  No matter what trials come our way, or what battles we find ourselves in, God will work all things out for our good.

I want to encourage you today.  God will do the same for you.  If your heart breaks with the thought of another Mother’s Day without your mom, rest assured that God will work all things out for your good.  Focus on the priceless memories you have of your mom.  Honor her by telling someone a story as you reminisce over the cherished time you shared with your mom.  Honor her by spending time with your dad, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, or friends who knew her.  Honor her by giving the greatest gift you could ever give to your children: unconditional love.  Most importantly, remember that God has not forsaken you.  God says in His Word, “‘As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you’” (Isaiah 66:13).  Even in the absence of your mother, know that God is watching over you, comforting you, loving you unconditionally.  Your Heavenly Father will mend your broken heart and restore your joy.  Unlike the people and pleasures found in this world, He is the only One who eternally can fill the void of a parent, a child, or any other loved one.  You are loved by the One who created the Heavens and the Earth!  Rest in His loving arms this Mother’s Day!

Mothers are extraordinary women.  Sadly, they will not be in our lives forever.  The Bible says that our lives are like a vapor, here one moment and gone the next.  So cherish each moment you have with your mother.  If your mom is still living, spend as much time as you can with her, give her a warm embrace, and tell her how much you love her.  Honor your mother and your father.  Above all, honor God, our faithful Friend, our compassionate Comforter, and our loving Father in Heaven.  He is the Father to the fatherless and the mother to the motherless.  Tell someone about Jesus Christ and His infinite love this Mother’s Day.  I could think of no better way to honor your mother!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

A Forever Fortune

Have you ever had dinner at a Chinese restaurant and been given a fortune cookie at the end of your meal?  When you opened it up and read your fortune, were you excited or disappointed?  Perhaps it left you scratching your head.  It may have read, “You will experience great friendships and abundant wealth.”  Or it could have said something nonsensical like, “Growth is not an attitude but action.”  While it may be fun to break open these special edible message vessels, the papers inside are printed in massive quantities and the fortunes received are simply obtained by chance.  Unlike the fortune cookies, there is one treasure that has been offered to every man, woman, boy, and girl.  This treasure was not one given by chance, but through God’s divine plan since the Creation of this world.  Jesus Christ gave His life for us, so that we could have eternal life.  That, my friends, is the ultimate forever fortune.

Fortune cookies are given as a way to thank you for your patronage and leave you on a sweet note, both literally and figuratively.  But what if someone gave you a gift even when you spit on them, cursed them, and wished them dead?  That’s exactly what Jesus Christ did.  The soldiers “struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him.  Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.  And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him” (Mark 15:19-20).  Even though the soldiers treated Jesus in this horrible manner, he died for every single person on this planet.  That means he even suffered and died for the very people who killed him.

God gave his only Son because he loved the world, knowing that they would crucify him.  I John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  God didn’t send his Son to die just for the rich or poor, the tall or short, the men or women.  God gave his only Son for every single person on earth.  It wasn’t by chance, like the fortunes in the cookies, but it was by the grace of God that Jesus Christ gave his life for us.  He gave his life as a living sacrifice, so that we could have our sins forgiven and be granted eternal life in Heaven.

But wait, there’s more.  Jesus didn’t just die, rise again, and return to his Father, leaving us to fend for ourselves on earth.  Romans 8:34 says, “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”  Jesus is praying for us.  Imagine.  The King of Kings and Lord of Lords is praying for me, and you, and every single person on this planet.  That’s how much he loves us.  He never stops thinking about us!  That is unconditional love that is only found through Jesus Christ.

Perhaps you are reading this blog and you feel you are in a hopeless situation.  Maybe you feel as if no fortune cookie, prayer, or anything else could possibly save you from your current circumstances.  I am here today to tell you that nothing is too big for God.  I was born lifeless.  Jesus restored my life.  My heart broke in two when my mom passed away.  Jesus restored my joy.  So many times, it may seem that all hope is lost.  But there is one rock on which we can stand, even when it seems the walls are crashing in.  Jesus Christ is the only lasting hope that can be found in this world.  He will always see us through.  Jesus loves you more than you could ever comprehend.  Cast all of your cares on him, for he cares for you (I Peter 5:7).

It’s not a myth, a fairy tale, or a message in a fortune cookie.  Jesus Christ is alive and well today.  He is sitting at the right hand of the Father, interceding on our behalf.  Call on his name today.  Jesus will be the anchor for your soul, the light in your darkness, and the refuge to which you can run.  Don’t fret over the daily worries of this world.  The greatest treasure is not one that can be deposited into a bank account.  The most valuable fortune is one that is stored up in Heaven (Matthew 6:20).  Put your trust in Jesus Christ today.  Only then will you begin to realize the greatest gift this world has ever received.  For the greatest fortune is not a fleeting thought.  The most valuable treasure is the love of Jesus Christ and his love will last forever.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer 

Treasures

When you were a small child, did you ever dream of being a treasure hunter?  Of being that lucky individual who would find the elusive treasure map, follow the trail, and claim a chest full of gold coins, jewelry, or other valuables.  I’m sure many of us would like to strike it rich, whether it is through the good fortune of finding a lost treasure, winning a cash prize, or receiving a large sum from a lucrative donor.  But for the vast majority, the odds of our finances skyrocketing to new heights are quite slim.  Nevertheless, there are treasures awaiting us if we just take the time to look for them.  God’s Creation is full of awesome wonders that reveal His love for us in the most unlikely ways.

Think about the sand dollar.  Have you ever swum down to the bottom of the ocean and pulled one of these unique sea urchins up to the surface?  Or maybe you found the dried skeleton of one of these creatures on the shore.  Have you ever looked inside one of these magnificent works of art?  God, in His infinite wisdom, designed this creature so that it could breathe through pores that are arranged in a petal-like pattern.  He also gave it spines, so it could move about the seabed.  Perhaps the greatest feature of an sand dollar is the Aristotle’s lantern inside that functions as the sand dollar’s teeth.  For these amazing objects are shaped like tiny little doves.  Imagine...inside one of God’s intricate sea creatures, He placed miniature replicas of one of His beautiful birds of the air.  Surely this was not an accident, but instead, it was part of His divine plan.

Did you know that doves mate for life?  A female or male dove will not search for a second mate until the first one is no longer living.  They also cooperate and work together to build the nest for their young.  They are the true epitome of loyalty and devotion to one another.  Jesus told His disciples to emulate their behavior when he told them to be “innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16 NIV).  Even God trusted a dove to bring the olive branch back to Noah to let him and his family know that the waters had receded and that it was safe to return to the land.  Without doubt, this special species is a symbol of peace and is a treasure in the sky.  God trusted a dove with an important task, but I have a question for you and me.  Can He trust us?  Do we follow His guidance as the dove did after the flood?  Or do we whine and complain when He tells us what we should do?  Sometimes, it is easier to follow a treasure map than to blaze an uncharted trail as we follow the Holy Spirit’s leading.  Inevitably, though, it is through devotion to God that we will find genuine and enduring treasure.

Some people spend their whole entire lives looking for treasure, or searching for fame and fortune.  In the end, what truly matters is what we have done for the cause of Christ.  The things we accumulate in this world will not last.  Although many people have tried through the centuries, you cannot take anything with you when you leave this world and enter into Heaven or Hell.  Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) says, “‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’”  You see, friends, you and I need to focus on the important things in life that will have eternal value.  These are the things that will last.  Instead of worrying about the kind of car we drive, the clothes we wear, or the food we eat, we need to focus on what we can do to share the love of Jesus Christ with everyone we meet.  The Bible says that our Heavenly Father knows our basic needs and that He will supply them (Matthew 6:32).  He knows our needs before we even ask.

What about you?  Are you tired of searching for a treasure that you cannot seem to find?  I don’t know what you may be going through in your life at this very moment, but I can tell you that I am 100% certain that Jesus Christ knows exactly what struggles you face.  He knows if you are dealing with financial burdens, physical or emotional battles, or something so difficult that you cannot even put it into words.  Just like He will provide for the sand dollars of the sea and the doves of the air, He will provide for you.  He knows your heart.  He knows if you are hurting.  Jesus Christ loves you so much that He gave His life for you (see John 3:16).  Call on the name of Jesus Christ today.  For the greatest treasure that any man can ever hold on this earth is not a chest full of gold, but the priceless knowledge that they have a personal relationship with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer