Thank the Lord for this wonderful Mother’s Day message from Pastor Rick Frederickson
Mothers – more precious than gold and sweeter than honey
A kind a wistful feeling fills me when I reflect on the importance of mothers in my life. I get nostalgic. And my heart aches as I long to be with them again. If tears of love and gratitude could be displayed on a screen, you would see them now. My mothers are more precious than any gold and sweeter than any honey to me.
Yes, I know the psalmist is referring to the Lord when he declares:
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
However, mothers are a special gift from God that can mold us and shape us. They teach us His decrees and ways. These special gifts of our mothers are indeed, more precious than gold and sweeter than honey.
My mother Mary, and my mother-in-law Lois are gone now. They served the Lord faithfully and are now resting from their labors. Both had a special place in forming my faith.
Mom taught me kindness and service as far back as I can remember. She showed love for all people – all ages, all races, all faiths. Mom tirelessly volunteered with the Red Cross, missions, and even with a leprosarium in Uganda, Africa. Our home was always open to whoever needed help. She spread God’s love through service and hospitality. She did it quietly and received little recognition for it. However those whom she helped loved and appreciated her. Her example instilled the same empathy and love for others in all her four sons.
Lois was a wonderful example of God’s gift of love and encouragement. Incredibly faithful in her devotion to the Lord, Lois showed me how to live a life of a disciple of Jesus. She was faithful in all things at church and committed to a life of sharing her faith and discipling others, including me. She accepted me as a son, helped me up when I stumbled, shared her wisdom with me, and encouraged my faith journey.
Mary and Lois are the most important witnesses of God’s love in my life. Like Timothy, my faith first dwelt in them. It grew out of their love and devotion to Jesus, and I am certain I wouldn’t be a pastor without their faith dwelling in me. I will forever be grateful that I call each of them mother.
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 2 Timothy 1:5
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