Blessings for mothers

Published 8:57 am Friday, May 11, 2012

Across the Pastor’s Desk

By the Rev. Cherie Daniel

Freeborn Congregational United Church of Christ in Freeborn

Alden United Methodist Church in Alden

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Grace United Methodist Church in Kiester

On Sunday this nation celebrates Mother’s Day. The second Sunday in May has been set aside as a time to honor the work of mothers in the United States, so set by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914. The work of Anna Jarvis, to honor her mother’s legacy, had paid off. There is much, much more to this story: heartache and frustration both before and after the proclamation. I would encourage you to read about it!

But this is a column dedicated to Christian teaching. I am struck by the variety of mothers and their influences from our Bible stories! It’s not easy for everyone to honor Mother’s Day because their own mothers were not honor-able. Not all of our ancestors were, either. Many were!

 

Eve

The first mother. Her first two boys did not get along. Sibling rivalry at its very worst. When strife persists in families, estrangement and worse are bound to happen (Genesis 4). No family counselors were available. They are now. And no mother should have to grieve the death of a child. Blessings to all mothers who try to instill peace and to those who grieve.

 

Sarah

She is the “mother of nations” (Genesis 17:16 KJV). Yet, she was 90 years old when Isaac was conceived. She had all but given up on having a child of her/their own. Abraham did already have a son, Ishmael, by Sarah’s handmaiden Haggar. I hope this story does not feed the his vs. hers, real vs. step children fire. I hope this story does encourage us to never give up hope, to accept all God’s good gifts (even if we, like Sarah, laugh at the thought!), and that all children are blessed. Blessings to all mothers who encourage hope.

 

Mary

She is the mother of Jesus — just read all the gospels! All mothers imagine the lives their children will lead. No one could imagine — nor would they want to — the life this child would lead. A poor woman. A young mother. A refugee. Mary had to make do with what was available to her at the time — a manger in a barn became a cradle for her newborn. She taught Jesus to do the same: wine for the wedding feast from jars of water, lunch for 5,000 from a little boy’s lunch, salvation for the soul of all people from one life given as sacrifice. Blessings to all mothers who dare to imagine great things and then who encourage fulfillment of all potential.

 

The unnamed mother of Solomon’s wise judgment

When another woman stole her baby to replace her own dead infant, Solomon offered to split the living child with a sword so that the two feuding women could share him. The true mother then, to save the life of her child, offered to let the thieving woman have him for her own (1 Kings 3:16-28). King Solomon recognized the true mother in this sacrifice. Blessings to all mothers who are willing to give up everything so that their children may live.

 

Hannah

She, like Sarah, was unable to bear a child for her husband. She, too, was plagued by the haughtiness of her husband’s other wife who was able to bear children. Hannah took matters into her own hands. My favorite girl’s name tells the story of this brave and determined woman: Hannah Rose (1 Samuel 1:9). She rose above all expectations about her behavior, all social taboos and social injunctions about “a woman’s place.” Her faithfulness and boldness were rewarded with the birth of her child. And then, in a greater act of courage and faithfulness, she dedicated that child to service to God. Blessings to all mothers who are bold (or timid) but who teach their children that faith has the top priority in our lives!

Happy Mother’s Day to you and to yours.