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Dear Members of the Our Savior Lutheran Church Email Prayer Chain, Mom's the Word
Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. --Proverbs 9:9-10
Spelled forwards or backwards, there's no mistaking the word mom. We all know what it stands for.
Turned upside down, it also reads wow. And that's something I wholeheartedly agree with-especially now that I'm old enough to understand everything that my mom did and has done for me over the years. All I can say is "Wow!"
I also think of the word instruction when I think of my mom - or any maternal figure who was influential in my life. I probably didn't like it at the time. Okay, I know I didn't like it at the time, as I always seemed to have my own agenda. But years later, I greatly appreciate the words of instruction that were given to me. My mom's words included, but were not limited to:
- If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
- When in doubt, don't.
- Chew with your mouth closed.
- Because I said so.
- So? Sew a hole in the ground. (Not really sure what that was for.)
- Do your best.
- Did you wash your hands? Let me smell them.
- Try it. You might like it.
- Hide God's Word in your heart that you might not sin against him.
- Now what did Mom say?
I continue to hear these words of instruction in my head as an adult. They're part of my mom's imprint on my life. They impart lessons of kindness, perspective, right and wrong, responsibility, attentiveness and obedience. And if I show any signs of the beginning of wisdom, I'll continue to heed these words and hopefully someday impart them to my future children.
The Bible speaks of the great value and importance of instruction and how we should perceive such words and their meaning in our lives:
- "Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life" (Proverbs 4:13).
- "He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded" (Proverbs 13:13).
- "Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD" (Proverbs 16:20).
- "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise" (Proverbs 19:20).
- "Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge" (Proverbs 23:12).
You may not have always agreed with the instruction imparted to you over the years. But, as I now am, I hope that you are cherishing the treasures given to you by your mother or anyone who has filled this role in your upbringing.
My mother sowed seeds into my life. She consistently worked my strong-willed soil. And the lack of an instant bumper crop didn't discourage her. Undeterred, she kept coming back and doing her part to ensure that good things were planted into my life. She added to my heart and to my mind, so that these instructions would hopefully take root and one day bring forth spiritual fruit.
To "train up a child in the way he should go" takes patience. Sacrifice. And most of all, a great love. Your mother is an earthly example of how our heavenly Father takes care of you and provides life-giving-and life-saving-instruction through his Word.
Thank God for your mother today. And take time to honor her this Mother's Day for all that she means to you as your mom.
REFLECTION I don't know what your relationship is like with your mother. She may not be here any longer. Or you may not have had a strong or healthy connection. This Mother's Day, however, think of someone (your mom, a relative, a teacher or any another godly woman you see as a mentor) who has given you valuable instruction. Let her know how much she has meant to you and what an impact she has made in your life.
PRAYER REQUESTS -- Week of May 9, 2010 FOR THOSE WHO LOOK TO THE LORD FOR HEALING
Caron Fausel Anticipating knee-replacement surgery Wednesday, May 12.
Rev. Tim Anderson [former pastor at OSLC] awaiting prostate surgery on May 12. Condition caught early; expecting full recovery.
Amy Velez [Daughter of Harvey and Billy] anticipating knee surgery May 11.
Paul Mattson [Nephew of Beverly Siilletto] recovering from spinal surgery.
Marilyn Lose Awaiting surgery on May 13 for a brain tumor.
Lawrence Hinkle [son-in-law of Ken & Lil Rogers] hospitalized after a serious fall and recuperating from neck surgery.
Those who suffer from disasters and those who serve in disasters We remember in our prayers those who have suffered loss of life and property during the flooding in the Nashville area. May God provide His comfort and strength to those afflicted. And may He also protect those servants who distribute aid and comfort and bless them with opportunities to bare witness to Him.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. --Romans 12:1-4
In Christ,
Paul Nickel
Director of Christian Education
Our Savior Lutheran Church
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