WATCHWORD:
This Sunday is dedicated to all mothers, you are a blessing in so many lives.
1-3 It seemed like a dream, too good to be true,
when God returned Zion’s exiles.
We laughed, we sang,
we couldn’t believe our good fortune.
We were the talk of the nations!
“God was wonderful to them!”
God was wonderful to us;
we are one happy people.
Psalm 126:1-3
Meditation:
Sunday Is Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day, a perfect day for all of us. A day for joy, a day for the joy of the Lord is our strength. Yes, a God-blessed happiness and joy to all you mothers!
When the psalmist refers to joy, it doesn’t mean the tendency some people have, because of their temperament, to be happier than other people. For one reason or another there appear to be people who are more naturally wired to smile, who can wake up in the morning singing a cheery song, and who look at their breakfast cereal and clap their hands with delight.
When I was a freshman in college, one of my classmates was an attractive girl who walked the campus, always smiling, even greeting others with a ‘hello, there’, and the impression was that of a happy person. It was not long before I realized that she was not what she seemed. In fact, she was in college to escape a difficult home life that had scarred her. Her smile? A happy mask to hide behind. By the end of the first semester, she was gone, and it saddened me. What I wanted for her was not just happiness. I wanted her to feel valued. Every now and then, the memory of her pops up in my mind and on my prayer list, along with a shade of guilt that I didn’t reach out to her, to encourage her.
I think we wish and pray for happiness for everyone, especially for those close to us. How about those that cross our path, and touch us briefly? Those, too, we can lift up. Mother’s Day should be a happy time, filled with memories.
Remember when Charlie Brown was all the rage? His qote: “I hate people who sing in the morning”. I take offense at that because I am an early riser, and I often break into song! John Denver, Michael W. Smith, Neil Diamond, Andrea Bocelli, Jars of Clay, it doesn’t matter, whatever strikes me and even if I don’t know the words, I’ll belt out something close, just after ‘Good morning, Lord, thank you for this day.’ I think singing, especially in the morning hours, is a sign of happiness, don’t you?
Happiness is not an offense! Some people are morning people, some people are evening people, and some people seem to feel happier than others. They are wired that way. However, and let me make this point clear, the joy and happiness I refer to is not a matter of temperament, genetics, personality or good acting. This joy and happiness is a result of being adopted by God, and knowing it, down deep. This joy is based upon an objective, real, God-given restoration. This joy is so good that when you experience it, you think, “I am living the dream.” More than that, joy, like love, grows as it is shared. Mothers have done that.
So, throw away all ideas that joy is found in things apart from God. Re-read the opening psalm, and note that, first, it describes the dream and then, second, tells you how that dream comes true. Know that these are Words from God. Such is the joy of the Lord being our strength. Joyful Mother’s Day to all. Amen.
Bulletin Board:
Thought for the day and every day – This is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it.
Grace before your meal – Bless the food before us, the family around us, here and beyond, and the love between us all.
Smile, it’s Mother’s Day — Daughter: Mom, what’s it like to have the greatest daughter in the world? Mom: I don’t know dear, you’d have to ask Grandma. (Boo!)
Closing Prayer Instruction:
This is where you personalize you prayer to perfectly represent your mom. A Mother’s Day prayer is not a performance; it’s an act of love and appreciation. Personalizing it to reflect your feelings and the essence of your relationship will make the prayer even more special. Be sincere, speak from the heart, and let your mother know just how much she means to you through your words. Whatever form your prayer takes, it can serve as a beautiful reminder of the special bond you share on this day dedicated to her. Take your time to reflect and create a prayer that truly encapsulates all the love and gratitude you hold for your mother. Happy Mother’s Day!
Amen!
