I still remember, as a kid, going to West Albemarle Baptist Church on Mother’s Day. As we walked onto the church grounds we were met by ladies with baskets of fresh cut roses. Everyone entering the church had a red or a white rose pinned to their clothing. Since I had a good Mom, and was proud of her, wearing that red rose gave me a warm, happy feeling.

After I became a Pastor, we always tried to recognize and honor the mothers. Awards were given to the Oldest Mother, the Youngest Mother, the Mother with the Most Children, etc. They probably had the same ritual at the church you attended.

Then, one day, a lady told me, “I never attend church on Mother’s Day”. I was shocked. Unless they were sick, or on vacation, she and her husband were there every time the doors were open. Also, I knew she loved her own mother. Then she explained, “My husband and I were never blessed to have children. It hurts too much to be there amidst all the happy families”.

After that, I began to look at my congregation in a new way. Sure, there were plenty of happy families with great moms and well-behaved children. However, there were also some like my friend. They mourned because they were childless. Others were abandoned as children. Some had abusive moms. Not everyone grew up in an “Ozzie and Harriet” family

That reminded me once again of the wonderful good news our Lord offers to us. Consider these special verses:

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for heaviness”. Isaiah 61:3

“God setteth the solitary in families”. Psalm 67:6 This could be a physical family. or it could be the faithful family of God in the local church.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me…..He sent Me to heal the broken hearted…”. Luke 4:18  How wonderful is that!!! Our precious Jesus tells us that part of the reason He came was to heal our broken hearts!!

You may wake up this Mother’s Day with warm, happy thoughts. Or, you may awake with sadness or pain. In either case, know that Jesus is there with you. He rejoices with your joy. He shares your pain, and if you will allow it, Jesus will heal that pain. No matter what we experienced in the past, Jesus is here to bless every Believer in this present moment. Let Jesus love on you today!!  AMEN

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sanctuary Service is 10 am. Also available on 99.1 FM in the parking lot. Children’s Church at the same time. Website service after 12:30 pm.
2. $ 1295 is the total in money given for the Baptist Children’s Homes Spring Food Drive. That amount, along with the items you gave from their “wish list” is a good offering. Thank you for caring.
3. May 23 we will have a Guest Speaker. He will be preaching so that a Pastor Selection Committee from a neighboring church can hear him.
4. We are sorry for the damage that the storm did in our community this week. However, we thank the Lord that no one was injured. As I told someone, “Barns can be replaced. Good people can not be replaced”.

The Lord is still on His throne!!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church