Grace and Truth: A word from pastors

I have only a few fond memories of my mother during my childhood. Circumstances of life simply made it hard to celebrate the good memories because they were clouded by so many bad memories. But I cling to the memory of my mother caring for us when we were sick. I recall the vast love, compassion and sacrifice she displayed anytime we were under the weather.

I remember having a really bad cold or flu when I was 5 or 6 years old. She rubbed Vicks vapor rub on my chest to help me breathe, made me homemade chicken noodle soup and helped me sip the broth from my bowl. She sat by me in the bathroom and rubbed my back with a cold washrag while all the virus worked itself out of my body.

But most of all, I remember her sitting up all night, holding me in her arms, close to her body in order to help break the fever and elevate my back so I could breathe easier.

This was not a once-in-a-while or special situation my mother displayed. She did this for each of her children every time we felt ill. She was attentive to our needs and concerned about our well-being, even at the expense of her own. I remember when I became a young mother, I tried to mimic my mother’s behavior with my sons—not sure if I got it completely right—but I was thankful for her example.

One of the most important figures in the Christian story is Mary, the mother of Jesus. From the beginning of Mary entering the story we see extraordinary gifts of a very young lady.

Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). And we see it in her song of praise in Luke 1:46-55.

Throughout the story, we see this mother with the ultimate task of caring for the Savior of the world. Mary, like all mothers, is saddled with the reality of motherhood, late-night feedings, numerous diaper changes, academic and moral teachings and, most of all, safety.

As her son grew, she, like other mothers, occasionally lost him (Luke 2:41-46), was shocked by his growth and wisdom (Luke 2:48-49), experienced his complete love and concern for her well-being (John 19:25b-27) and encouraged him to be exactly what he was called to be (John 2:1-5). Most of all, she stood by his side when he was falsely accused, tortured and killed (John 19:30).

Mary, like my mother (and so many others), did not leave her child when the most difficult reality of life came their way. Mary followed her son every step as he carried his cross (and ours) to Calvary. She stood with him and prayed as they nailed him to the cross and pierced his side. She was there when he took his last breath. A mother’s love knows no boundaries, no limits to what she will do with or for her children. Mary is the prototype of motherhood for all mothers to aspire to.

This month as we celebrate the exceptional women in our lives, let us remember the signs of character, love, compassion and sacrifice. Let us seek to be mothers whose love for others (especially our children) is a shining example of God’s love toward us. Let us remember not to take ourselves so seriously—like Mary we will make mistakes, turning our heads for just a minute and realizing our child has wandered off, underestimating our children’s gifts only to be reminded by them what God created them to be.

Like Mary, let’s remember to encourage and call those gifts out of our children when they fail to trust in themselves. But most of all, let’s remember to stand with our children when the most challenging times of life come their way, knowing that we serve a God who has that same love, compassion and sacrifice for us.

We are not alone in this most terrifying and blessed experience of motherhood. God has specifically chosen us to assume this task biologically or through adoption, and he is with us every step of the way. May the grace and love of God be with every woman who expresses a mother’s love to children in some capacity in their life.

Cyneatha Millsaps is pastor of Community Mennonite Church in Markham, Ill.