Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church

The Holy Post - May 07 [PDF]

Dear Friends,

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

In 31 years of marriage I have taken many photographs of my wife. I treasure them all. My favorite photo of the hundreds I have taken is a shot of her holding our newborn son in a hospital room at Baptist East Hospital in Louisville, KY. The light from the window perfectly envelopes her face, which is beautiful. Her look is filled with utter contentment and complete caring. Her countenance reflects sheer joy, far surpassing mere happiness. There is no trace of the pain of labor, no hint of what she called the obstetrician when he was late for the delivery. It is a picture of motherhood.

Not all women could be photographed like that. Through the centuries many women have not survived childbirth. Others have wanted desperately to have a child, but could not. Many have had children, but have not been delighted at their arrival or their continued presence. But thanks be to God for the millions of women who, like my wife and my mother, welcomed their children as God welcomes each of us.

I don’t have a photograph of my mother when I was first born. But I know she had a similar expression on her face. (How could she not?!)

Of course, I remember times when there were other expressions on her face, which were not so pleasant, but which were still reflective of a loving mother. I believe that those of us who have had caring and loving mothers, have already been taught a great deal of proper theology. If we had a righteous light of the world and loving mother, we have been blessed beyond our comprehension. We already know more about God’s love than we could learn in a course on Systematic Theology or Christian Philosophy or Ethics.

A little boy forgot his lines in a Sunday School presentation. His mother, sitting in the front row to prompt him, gestured and formed the words silently with her lips, but it didn’t help. Her son’s memory was blank. Finally she leaned forward and whispered the cue, “I am the light of the world.” The child beamed and with great feeling and a loud, clear voice said, “My mom is the light of the world.”

Maybe he was not wrong. Jesus is the light of the world. And so are mothers who love their children as Jesus loves us. So are fathers who love that way, and grandmothers and grandfathers . . . .

Sam