Mother's Day 2008

As this Mother’s Day draws to a close, I am so grateful for my mom. I so appreciate, more today than yesterday, her unselfed love. Her wisdom, caring, being there to cheer her us kids when we did well, and to reassure us when life seemed tough – these are her expression of God as Mother.

For me this does not diminish God’s fathering role. Rather it complements the masculine protectiveness and decisiveness with a nurturing, tenderness, and steadfast love associated more often with moms.

· A mom is a peacemaker. She wants her children/neighbors/community to get along.
· A mom stands up for what is right. She will side with the teacher when her kids mess up.
· A mom is a good listener. She listens between the lines, between the tears.
· A mom sees through deception when her kids test their boundaries.
· A mom is there for you, even when it means facing consequences.

Even those with no biological children have opportunities to mother – to nurture and support the good in neighbors colleagues, family. The world needs a mother’s wisdom and gentleness, her caring and consolation. If we cannot save the whole world, we can at least mother it.

“Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.” William Makepeace Thackeray

“The formative period for building character for eternity is in the nursery. The mother is queen of that realm and sways a scepter more potent than that of kings or priests.” Author Unknown

“A mother’s affection cannot be weaned from her child, because the mother-love includes purity and constancy, both of which are immortal. Therefore maternal affection lives on under whatever difficulties.” Mary Baker Eddy

“Father-Mother is the name for Deity, which indicates His tender relationship to His spiritual creation.” Mary Baker Eddy