There are billions of mothers on this planet today; each one different in their methods and attitudes. Some of us have never known our biological mothers and yet we all know that we have one. I would venture to say that those who don’t know their biological mothers were still found in the arms of an adoptive mother of sorts. Even those who know their biological mother, if she is wicked, will seek out another motherly figure. Each of us look for one thing in a mother, above all other things, unconditional love.
Let us walk through 1 Corinthians 13 (a dissertation of sorts, on love) and see how we see God through mothers and motherly figures. This passage states “love is patient.” In the 2nd chapter of Luke Jesus gets separated from his parents and is found learning in the temple. When he is found his mother states “where have you been, your father and I have been worried sick! (my own version)” Notice she does not insult him, and she did not give up the search for him. Because she was full of unconditional love, her genuine concern gave her patience both in finding him and in rebuking him.
Next we see that, “love is kind.” Relating to the passage in Luke, again noticing that she did not insult him, we see her reflecting the kindness that comes with love. Over and over in my life my mother has shown me kindness under every circumstance. My mother-in-law, out of her love and in turn kindness to my wife allowed me to eat in their home and make myself a daily visitor without any ill will before we were even married. I immediately noticed that her kindness was manifested out of her love for her daughter. Even these two characteristics of love make us go, “I want that!” And yet, there are more!
“…[it] is not jealous, …does not brag, and is not arrogant.” I like to take these three together, as I feel they are best explained in a group. Love accepts whatever is thrown at it. A loving mother does not change her feelings about you no matter what you do. If you grow up to be a failure in everything you do, or the next Bill Gates, a loving mother will see you the same. She will never try to take what you have or bring you down, and will never refuse to see you no matter what state you are in.
“Love is not rude, is not self seeking, is not easily provoked.” What loving mother is rude to her child? What loving mother raises her child only to promote herself? After Jesus is found in the temple, the bible says that he remains subject to them. Then it turns to Mary and says “…she kept these things in her heart.” She did not parade him around Nazareth putting down other children and showing how attuned to God her child was. She did not go into the temple and demand to be treated better than anyone else. She merely accepted her son for what he was and kept these things in her heart out of love for him.
“[Love] thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity.” No loving mother wishes to harm her child. Further a truly loving mother will provide morals and a sense of justice. A loving mother shines a light on the path to righteousness. Even mothers who don’t know God, but have love, will not do evil toward their children, and will instill some sort of morals in them. It is important to realize that God, the creator of everything, even love, gave all humans the capacity to have at least one characteristic of himself, even when they are absent him…love!
Finally we see that love “…bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” As if this statement hasn’t been summed up through all of the things that were already stated about love, he restates his points! Then finally he culminates his statement with this, “Love does not fail.” I don’t think I have ever heard such beautiful words. Having examined the evidence for my mom’s love, and having found that it does exist, I am reassured it will not fail. Is there anything more reassuring in this world?
Some of you are saying, there is nothing reassuring about a human loving me, because humans have failed me before. I urge you then to consider this; these statements do not pertain just to humans, they are statements about God, and our savior Jesus Christ. Their love NEVER fails. No matter what the circumstances when you seek them you will find them with all of these characteristics. Every time that your mother shows you unconditional love, she is showing you a characteristic of God.
On this Mother’s Day I realize that many of the kids in our programs, myself included, are doing our art because their mother has brought them to it, and encourages them to continue. If you learn nothing else from your time spent with us, I hope it is this: honor thy father and thy mother, show respect to yourself and everyone around you, and strive to love like God, and thank that loving figure in your life who has shown you the characteristics of God. |
