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Pastor's Page

Posted on May 9, 2008 ...

     In a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip, Calvin steps up to his mother's bed and says, "Hey, Mom! Wake up. I made you a Mother's Day card." His mother starts to read it aloud:

"I was going to buy a card with hearts of pink and red.
But then I thought I'd rather spend the money on me instead.
It's awfully hard to buy things when one's allowance is so small.
So I guess you're plenty lucky I got you anything at all.
Happy Mother's Day. There, I've said it. Now I'm done.

So how about getting out of bed and fixing breakfast for your son."

     The humor in this portrayal of young Calvin is in his extreme presumption that his mother exists solely to serve his needs. The surfacing of this attitude even on Mother's Day shows the ridiculous degree to which this misperception resides.
     True enough, our moms spend much of their lives meeting our needs. Few examples of sacrifice and servanthood exceed the roles of motherhood. They function as cooks, maids, teachers, nurses, counselors, cheerleaders, chauffeurs, seamstresses, tutors, lenders, coaches, and numerous other functions. I realize that there are sad exceptions to this characterization. But in reality these are quite rare. For most people, the care received from their mom is priceless and precious in God's assessment. Remember Jesus words,
     The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12 NIV
     The recipients of a mother's love should not feel like Calvin, entitled to these expressions of servitude. Instead, let us affirm that these are unmerited gifts. A mother's loving care is a blessing for which we should be grateful.
     Given all the sacrifices she makes, a single day annually given in her honor seems somewhat out of proportion. Still, be sure you take the effort this weekend to help your mom feel special. If your mother is no longer living, remember her warmly and use Mother's Day to affirm another mom you admire (perhaps the mother of your children or your grandchildren.) It will be a blessing. Jay

Pastor's P.S. I know my mom reads every word of our church newsletter. (In doing so, she keeps up with our congregation better than some of our members!) So please indulge me a moment of personal privilege to say Happy Mother's Day Mom. I love you.