Thanks Mom

There is just something about how a mother cares for her children that helps a child. Her insight into what the child is going through and her empathy causes the child to flourish. Mothers possess an innate understanding and insight into their child’s emotions and needs, which enables them to provide the right kind of care and support at the right time. You have heard that saying, “Mom has eyes in the back of her head,” well it’s more like x-ray vision. She knows when they feel lonely, rejected, or confused. Her love and willingness to listen is the best antidote that child could receive against those powerful emotions. A mother even helps a father be a better father by showing him what he cannot see on his own. This has been the case with my wife. She has always seen what I could not see and given me opportunities to support my children. My wife has helped to build the respect of my children for me.

There are unique windows that children go through as they enter the world and grow up—and if that mother recognizes those windows, good things happen to that child. She has intuitions that are God given to help her understand and guide that child through difficult times. The mother’s understanding validates the child’s sense of importance. The child thinks, “My mom knows me and loves me.”

Today we thank God for every mother giving of herself to her family. We all are the beneficiaries of her love and care. She has helped to provide us with the opportunities to flourish.

Mothers, we love you! Mothers, you deserve our respect, gratitude, and recognition for your tireless efforts in caring, loving, and serving your families. We don’t recognize you nearly enough, but today we say thanks for caring, loving, and putting your family first.

 

Longing for Heaven

 

How important is it to contemplate heaven while we live on this earth? It is imperative because it is a real place that will be our eternal home. John has given us a marvelous description of heaven in the book of Revelation.

Revelation 21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

John’s description of heaven says we will be his people, and God will dwell with us. That is a powerful thought as we live fully with God as his people. Secondly, John states there will be no more tears because God will finally wipe every tear from our eyes. We all see sadness every day. There is sadness from sickness, death, broken relationships, financial hardship, sorrow in disappointment, and sadness from injustice. No more tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, forest fires, or floods in heaven. The temperature will be just right. Only God can do that! Lastly, notice that phrase that there will no longer be any sea.

David McCloud shares some thoughts about John’s phrase, “No longer any sea.” Consider for a moment why the ocean exists. Over 70 percent of our earth’s surface is covered with salt water. Why does our planet Earth need such a massive covering of salt water? The answer is to cleanse the earth. The sea might be described as God’s great antiseptic solution. The salty brine of the sea cleanses and preserves our planet, making it fit to live in. Many pollutants and waste humans produce are washed out of the soil and into the streams and rivers. The rivers carry these materials into the sea, and the antiseptic solidity of the sea absorbs, scrubs, and breaks down these pollutants and waste. The sun heats the sea, causing only pure, clean water vapor to float into the sky, forming clouds that bring refreshing rain back to the land, a continual cycle of cleansing and renewal. But in the new earth, there will be no more pollution, decay, or need for cleansing, and thus no need for a salty sea. This present order of things will end, and nothing more powerfully communicates the idea than the assertion that there is no longer sea.

Evidence of his handiwork is evident in every phase of creation. We are now living in the end times, and the day of Christ’s appearing is at hand. Our hearts long for heaven!

Raising Kids with a Long View

We are told that Samuel was a man of God, and at the end of his life, no one could find fault with him, but his sons were another story. Their description is: “But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice” (1 Samuel 8:3).

We have no idea what happened with Samuel’s sons. Was he too busy and away from home too much? Did he spoil his sons by giving them anything and everything? Did he and his wife leave them to work out their problems and fail to teach them how to resolve their challenges? Most of all, did they fail to teach them how to love and follow God?

Raising a family today is a challenging task. Many young parents are overwhelmed with parenting and are very discouraged. They are dealing with marital conflict, financial problems, life problems, and disagreement in a parenting style. Add to this that many young couples are isolated from extended families, making them feel all alone.

However, God wants the family to succeed. After all, it was his idea. The scriptures are encouraging, and when we ask God for wisdom, he will not deny us. James writes: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

Our task is to lovingly and positively teach the children God has given us.  They belong to Him, and they are on loan from him.  We must prepare them to fight their spiritual battles in a dangerous world with reasonable arguments that make sense to them.  We are to pray over them daily.  To succeed at this task, parents must establish their God-given authority and don’t allow it to be usurped by the school, culture, or their own children.  We have been given the greatest responsibility and privilege.  We have not been asked to be their best friends but their parents.