Who do you call when you need a hand or have a question you can’t find the answer to? For a bunch of us – it’s mom! Hey, I’ve been one for 11 years now and I still call my mother for help. “How do I get gum off of your grandson’s legs without shaving them?” “Please, tell me it’s possible to get candle wax out of carpet!” Moms are a wealth of information, thank God for telephones and email!
So, my question today is for the moms (and really it’s for all of us!) You’ve got a lot of people looking to you – who are YOU gonna call on? Who do you depend on? I kinda like being the one my family depends on. I especially enjoy being the Finder-Of-All-Lost-Things. But I know that I have to trust in the Lord and look to Him as my source. I may be well able to help with sixth grade homework but I am not a lamp unto my feet or a refuge in my time of trouble and to be perfectly honest, my mercy is NOT new every morning. I’m workin’ on being more like Jesus but I gotta long way to go.
Go grab your Bible and read Jeremiah 17:5-6….. that’s a little harsh, huh? Here is my paraphrase: The woman who trusts in man or in her own flesh is cursed. She is lonely because she sees nothing but herself. She misses out on the good things of life, completely unaware of her blessings. She lives in a hard, desolate place. She is dry and brittle – so she snaps under pressure. (Been there, done that.) Like the children of Israel in the desert she keeps going around in circles, taking 40 years to make a 35 day journey. She lives a lifeless existence. Nothing grows around her or in her. Whoa – I do not wanna be that girl!
Praise God there is an alternative life choice found in verses 7-8 so don’t stop at verse 6, read on…...completely different picture here. The woman who trusts God is blessed! She is full of life. She is cared for, intended, planted in a specific place where life-giving water flows with provision. She does not live in fear of the pain life brings. She is confident to face adversity. She is beautiful, green, nourished – ALIVE! She will not be anxious in dry seasons because she knows who she is. Her roots go deep to hidden stores and resources. She is always fruitful, able to bear fruit in any season because her source of life is deeper than what the weather may bring.
Yes, we’ve all got people who need us, who want to know what we know and that is exactly why we’ve got to be looking to Jesus, actively trusting Him. The longer I walk this Christian life, the more I’ve come to believe that it really is less about my capability and more about my leaning, my utter and complete dependence on Christ.
Happy Mother’s day to all you moms, I hope you get lots of hugs, slobbery kisses and hand-made gifts. For those of you with older children – I think a long distance phone call would be nice. Meanwhile in the every day’s of life – you know who to call – and He’s toll-free!
And a very special Happy Mother's Day to my own beautiful Mom. I love you, thank you for always being there for all your kids and grandkids!
