by Rev. Tyger Penson
In Psalm 139, the Psalmist reflects upon God’s creative power—each of us is “knit together in our mother’s womb” and is “fearfully and wonderfully made!” God chose the woman to carry that child in her “womb,” her innermost being. It is hard work (I can vouch to that) but such a privilege.
We all have or had mothers. Sometimes a mother is not able to be the kind of mother she wishes she could be. Sometimes mothers fail in the parenting department or in love. But they are our mothers who want and need our love and respect. Sometimes, mothers are not able to care for a child, so a grandmother, sister, or foster mother gives the love and nurturing necessary for a child/youth’s growth and well-being. And, some mothers just get it! A woman, connected to God, is very special. Abraham Lincoln once said: “I remember my mother’s prayers. . .and they have always followed me. They have clung to me throughout life.”
A major memory of my mother, Julianne, is sitting in her chair, Bible on her lap, and her hands folded as she prays for a long list of people, events, and concerns. This was always her pattern to start the day before she had breakfast. Nobody bothered her during this time.
Similarly, there was a young woman in our church in Wilsonville. She had three small children who knew that when mommy was sitting in her rocker, they were to play quietly because mommy was praying! What a great example she was to her children and a blessing to all. I remember Todd’s mother, Vanja, going to the nursing homes to pray with the residents there.
A woman, mother or not, will feel honored to be remembered as a woman of prayer: a woman who knows her Bible, one who can sit quietly at early dawn or before bed with a Bible on her lap and her hands together in prayer and meditation.
Herb Brokering wrote a song that I’ve sung often and have taught to so many children through the years. I first met him at Holden Village in Washington State. At the time he was a pastor in Windsor. The song is
“Love, love, love”
Love, love, love. That’s what it’s all about.
’Cause God loves us we love each other,
Mother, Father, Sister, Brother.
Everybody sing and shout ’cause that’s what it’s all about.
It’s about love, love, love; it’s about love, love, love.
Prayer: Thank you God for my mother and all the mothers who care for us the best they can. Thank you for your abundant love. May we all, male or female, be people of prayer. Amen.