We’ve had an unusual Easter and this week we’ll be having an unusual Mother’s Day. We won’t be sitting together in church honoring the moms that brought us into the world or that have taken on that role. I hope you will find creative ways to express your appreciation this year or honor the memory of those special ladies.
I’m told I was a miracle child. After years of trying to have a child with no success, finally I came along. Lutherans practice infant baptism like Catholics and Methodists, Episcopalians, and Presbyterians because we believe that God loves us even before we know what we’re doing.
In the same way that an 8 day old Jewish baby boy doesn’t have a say as to whether or not he will be circumcised, we believe in making promises and claiming promises on behalf of our children long before they can confirm them for themselves. (It’s why my wife and I paid for our kid’s college tuition through the Texas Tomorrow Program long before they graduated high school! They both fulfilled the promise by graduating from college and both have jobs to this day!)
When my parents presented me for the sacrament of baptism they promised to raise me in the faith to the end that I would embrace it for myself. Because my mom was so glad to have a child after so long she read Hannah’s prayer and dedicated me to the ministry like Hannah did for her son Samuel. (I Samuel 2:1-10)
She didn’t tell me this until AFTER I graduated from seminary. I think she also wanted it to be my decision. I think she also wanted to wait to make sure I passed.
On February 10, 2010 my mom left this life behind and went to her heavenly reward. She was a widow for 20 years. She was my mom for 59 years.
In her honor I’d like to share a song I wrote for her. It’s called
Due Unto Mothers
My mother she gave life to me and made sure I grew up right
And oh how she loved to tuck me in at night.
She’d put a cold washrag on my brow when the fever laid me low
and taught me what she thought that I should know.
Do unto Mothers as you would have them do to you.
Return the favor for all she’s done and observe her golden rule.
Cause when you honor your mother all year round
not just when Hallmark Cards says to,
you’ll give what’s due unto your mother
and show your gratitude.
A mother’s love can work miracles… turn a boy into a gentle dude,
turn a girl to a lady who knows just where to put which spoon.
So honor your mother all year round and not just when the Florist Shops say to
and give what’s due unto your mother and show your gratitude.
One good turn deserves another
So turn down the sound and call your mother.
Do unto Mothers as you would have them do for you
return the favor for all she’s done and observe her golden rule
And honor your mother all year round not just one Sunday a year
Give what’s due unto your mother call her up and bend her ear.
So get up … again… and call your blessed mother…..
Thank you moms everywhere.
Joyful Life Lutheran Church 