A Reminder That God Will ProvideSample

What One Mother Pondered

By Mark Hayes, President of Ministry

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19)

Her youngest son had turned 16 and had just gotten his driver's license. Her oldest son had just graduated from college and was on his way to a new career three states away. She was trading in the family minivan. They just wouldn't need it anymore. She put it in park after a final drive and turned around to look at the empty seats behind her. The memories of car seats, toys, and Cheerios on the floor sent the tears rolling.

A mother ponders in her heart the blessings of every moment she has had with each child. She wants her children to be healthy and successful. More than anything, though, as they move on to the next stages of life, she wants them to hold onto the relationships with God that Mom and Dad taught them to develop.

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19)

We read these words about the mother of Jesus when he was born. Her miracle baby would be the Savior of the world. Mary would see things beyond what any other mother would ever experience because this was also God’s child. She would see Jesus heal the sick and stand up for the poor. She would hear him preach to thousands. She would also see him suffer at the hands of enemies, and she would be at the cross with him when he took his last breath. She saw firsthand what we believe from the Gospel: his life was the payment for every sin of every child ever born.

On Mother’s Day, we celebrate the love a mother has for her children. Mary pondered in her heart the love that her child, God’s son, had for all mankind. The love of Jesus empowers and inspires the love of a mother. The love of Jesus is the source of the greatest hope that a mother has for her children—that her children will arrive safely in Heaven.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for loving mothers and women who fed us, cleaned up after us, and instilled values in us. Thank you for the women who taught us about You and gave us an eternal gift. Continue to bless them, as they have been a blessing to us. In your loving name, Amen.