With Love and Thanks This Mother’s Day – Sunday Thought For The Day

Today is Mother’s Day, and I want to send a special wish to special moms. First, I send all of my love to my mother, who sacrificed mightily to raise and give me every opportunity she was able. She instilled in me a love of learning and the DNA to stand for that which is right and just. Most importantly, I remember her sharing Jesus Christ with me.

Life was hard for mom after she became ill when I was 10-years old. Our entire way of life changed. But, while circumstances changed, what did not change was her drive to put me first and provide for me.

For some reason, this Mother’s Day as I write this, I glance over at my clarinet. I guess it’s because when I look at it, I think of her. She made monthly payments on a school program to purchase me that clarinet when I was in 4th grade. I played in band and orchestra. Lessons were free during the school year, but summers mom would send me to private lessons in a taxi cab so I could continue to improve.

Mom passed away September 20, 2013, shortly before 1AM. This morning as I write this, that clarinet reminds of the love and commitment of my mother. But, it also reminds me of her legacy; because I passed that same clarinet down to my son, who used it to become an accomplished classical clarinetist.

Mom was 94-years old when she went to be with Jesus. I look forward to seeing her again in heaven, in her resurrected body. What an eternity that will be as we spend it praising our Lord together.

There is another group of mothers I want to recognize this Mothers Day. They are the mothers who have lost sons and daughters in conflict and war. I do not truly know the depth of your loss and grief. I have my son. Your children are gone.

I want you to know and be assured of this: your children did not give their lives in vain. They gave their lives in defense of what they believed in. They gave their lives in defense of country, in defense of other countries, and in defense of security for others. I know that may be difficult for us to understand, and I know some who have suffered the loss of their children in military service may disagree. When your child volunteered to serve their country they understood that their service also included the possibility of going into conflict.

This is a weak analogy but in a small way it’s like going out for the football team. You know the chances of getting hurt are great. You know that there will be more pain and injury than touchdowns and games won. But it’s the love of the game that compels them to play.

Forgive me, if it appears I’m in any way minimizing your loss. That is not my intention. I am saying that the love of our country compelled your children to serve the greatest country in the world.

I may not know the pain you bear, but I want you to know that there are many like myself, who want you to know how proud we are of your children. We cannot reach out and embrace each of you, at least not in person, but please know that on this Mother’s Day, we give you special acknowledgment that you are not forgotten and that we send you our sincerest love and prayers.

Be grieved, but be proud. Be proud and know that there are those who share your loss and salute you and our fallen heroes. If there is an extra-special place in heaven it should be for mothers who gave birth to and nurtured sons and daughters who loved and valued service above their personal safety. I salute you. From the bottom of my heart, I wish I could hug each of you. I love America and I salute your brave children who loved her even more.

May Mother’s Day be filled with treasured memories, I send love to each one of you. You carry a wound that only our Father can heal. It is my prayer that when you leave this earth you will meet your children standing with Jesus. God bless you and thank you.

READ:1 Samuel 1:24-2:3 (KJV)
24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young.

25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord.

27 For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

28 Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.

2:2 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

2 There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.