The unrecognized heroine!

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land"-Ephesians 6:1-3, (ESV).

Mother's day was soon approaching. Our church's radio program team was getting ready for the celebration and special broadcast. —Can you, please, have the devotional for the mother's day broadcast? —one of the programmers asked. — I'm willing! But please pray for me!
—What shall I speak about, Lord? — was my immediate prayer. — So much has been said about motherhood! Guide me, dear Lord.

Almost instantly, I remembered a sermon I'd started working on, but had on "hold", unfinished.
—That’s it! Thanks, dear Lord. Thanks again!

I aim to share some highlights of this year's Mother's Day's broadcast, for their relevance in our lives:

Motherhood is a call from God that entails immense responsibility... for "Children are a blessing and a gift from the LORD"-Psalm 127:3, (CEV).

Motherhood imprints its mark in the soul for good or bad. The poet, William Wallace Ross, eloquently emphasizes a mother’s high calling and great influence in his poem “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world”.

A mother’s love is greater than any other! Some learn to value it still young; others, need a little more time. But many did praise their mother and recognized her labor of love.

Motherhood is risky business! It comes without a warranty. But, thank God for prayer! A mother’s prayer is sweet fragrance to the Lord. God values and answers a mother’s prayer (See Matthew 19:14, ESV).

Dear mothers: Be not afraid to be unrecognized. Dare to be a hero before the Lord! To be recognized should never be your motivation to reach new heights in your challenging task. Whether others understand and appreciate your task or not, if you raise godly children, women and men of valor and dignity, they will thank you under the tree of life!

Let prayer be your mighty sword to complete your heavenly appointed task. King David and many others are among those whose mothers’ name may not be known right now; but what a task they completed for the Lord! You may feel unappreciated, but He who bestowed upon you the gift of motherhood, does recognize and appreciate your work, your perseverance, your sacrifices and love! Thou your children go astray, never give up! Never stop praying for your children. And God will answer your prayers on their behalf (See Isaiah 49:25, CEV).

On mothers' day I sent her flowers. But each day I thank heaven for my godly mother. Nothing shaped me like her love, nothing guides me like her faith, and nothing strengthens me like her prayers. Nothing can replace her, and nothing I do will ever repay her. Her reward is in heaven. For now, I cherish and love her, thank her and often tell her how much she means to me.

Motherhood is a gift from heaven; and the children, a blessing from above: one for which our Giver, will soon, ask about. May God continue to bless each mother's dedication and labor with his wisdom and infinite love.

A virtuous woman-legacy of love

"Her children arise and call her blessed..." -Proverbs 31:28

Reflecting on my mother's love it's hard to point out just one way she expresses her love to her children, for it shows it in everything she does. But one thing is certain: I will always thank God for her attitude in life. If I need to single out just one trait of her character, one memory or one powerful lesson and expression of her love it is that she's remained positive, thankful and singing throughout the most trying circumstances of her life. Life's challenges and struggles seem powerless to undermine her determination to be cheerful and praise the Lord.

As a child, I remember waking up to her cheerful songs. Early in the morning she'd gather her family to praise and thank the Lord, and seek his guidance for the day. Throughout the day, her sweet voice filled the air and, at night, we'd gather again to worship our heavenly Father and sing.

When my father, a healthy man, suddenly passed away, leaving her with five small children, she drew strength from the Word of God and the songs of faith she'd learned throughout her life. Raising us alone, she taught us by example that life and it's toils can never take away the treasure of a cheerful heart.

Though her body shows the wear and tear of years of hardship, her heart remains young, brimming with gratitude that flourishes in a beautiful, contagious smile and a song to praise the Lord. Rain or shine she remains a testament of God's faithfulness. Her presence irradiates peace and a joy that baffles many. Her conversations overflow with love towards others, but most of all, to our heavenly Father.

What better legacy of love? Surely, she's touched my life forever in ways that only time will tell, for she's a virtuous woman, a woman of faith, a woman with a cheerful heart. From her I've learned to look at life and it's challenges with a different perspective, with " heavenly lens". I've learned to praise the Lord whatever the challenge and I've seen him work in my life.

Today and every day I thank God for her legacy of love, and I praise the Lord with a tune from my heart, a tune that no person or challenge can take away!
©Rhodi Alers de López, 2006, April 26.

Reflections on a mother's day

It was back in 1907 that Ana Jarvis started campaigning to celebrate mother's day as a national holiday. In 1914, president Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second sunday of may the national day for such celebrations.

But why do we celebrate mother's day and when do we celebrate? Do we celebrate because everybody else does? Do we really celebrate what ought to be such an important date in our calendar?

Mother's day is just one of the days to celebrate a mother's love, compassion, perseverance, longsuffering, etc. I celebrate my mother every time I have the opportunity to call, write or see her. My mom is a precious gift from God and I cherish her dearly. I don't wait for mother's day to come, for mother's day should be every day of the life God grants her. I try to stay in contact often. (She lives in Puerto Rico). I always try to thank her and let her know how important she is and how much I appreciate her ways, her special touch, her love and understanding.

As for gifts... what her heart desires is to be appreciated and loved. No fancy gift will ever replace the joy a grateful and loving child can bring to her heart. All she wants is our gratitude, our love.

As I recall days gone by, I thank God for a mother who has put her trust in the Lord and, thus, shown me by example that it is better to put my trust in Him than in silver or gold. I can truly priase God for giving me a virtuous woman, a woman who serves the Lord with gladness and unwavering faith.

May God bless each mother in her wonderful and challenging task!
©Rhodi Alers de López, 2005-05-08

A mother's love

A mother’s love is like a fountain
Which never ceases to give life.
A mother’s love will guide you safely
Through life’s most dark and stormy nights.

A mother’s love is like an ocean
So deep and wide that it can bear
Our joys and sorrows, tears and laughter.
To her love no other’s compare.

A mother’s love is like the sunshine
That casts away our doubts and fears.
It shines so bright that brings new beauty
To simple things, my mother dear!

©Rhodi Alers de López, 2002