My beautiful girl started the “Mothers’ Day” celebration
very early in the week. She gave me a note that reads in part: "You would never
leave me." I know what she meant, my heart was touched by her words, but I
must confess that I couldn’t help but feel some uneasiness when I read the
phrase.
Then I realized that the disease has only made me more aware
of what was already true before the disease. At some point our support systems
may fail. At some point, sick or not, parents are no longer present. The Bible
says: "The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of
the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no
more." (Psalm 103: 15-16, NIV)
But then I remembered the story when King David looked out
for Mephibosheth, grandson of King Saul, after the death of King Saul and his
son Jonathan,
"Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will
surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore
to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always
eat at my table." (2 Samuel 9: 7)
Our big challenge as parents is to teach our children that
Jesus is "our David". Mephibosheth had a physical disability, he was not
enjoying the benefits of his inheritance, probably was fearful and hiding
because he was the heir to the throne turning David into a rival, and had no
relationship with the King. So were us. ... But God who is rich in mercy took
the initiative and saved us by grace (Ephesians 2: 4-5), just as Mephibosheth
received grace at the hands of David.
Our children must learn that Jesus is the voice that will always
say, "Do not fear", "I will show you kindness" and "you
will always eat at my table."
May the Lord help us to lead our children to Jesus every day.
May He be the one receiving love notes written in their hearts that say with
absolute confidence: “You would never leave me”
Have a Blessed Mothers’ Day!
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