"And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;
therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest."
He saw the crowds and had compassion on them . . . because they were helpless.
Mothers, women who mother, women who bear the bruises for the ones they bore or long to love, we have an incredible opportunity to reach out with gentle hands in compassion.
A compassion that makes us feel the pain of the distressed and do something about it.
We really don't need special recognition for the long days, sleepless nights and endless lists . . . We really do need to especially continue to labour with long-suffering, selfless, and enduring love.
It's this self-sacrificing, giving, hope-filled love that will
clothe us with strength and dignity,
fill our days with joy and
our hearts with contentment and
cause us to laugh at the days to come.
This Mother's Day,
what if we lowered our expectations for what we think we deserve
and delighted to serve the least of these?
"This is what it looks like, I thought. In so many places, we sit in church and talk about compassion, unimaginable love, revival. And then an hour later, we are still sitting there talking about it. But revival is happening. Now. Compassion is working: unimaginable, selfless love is real. It is right here. My five-year-old knows how to be Jesus' hand to others. I can stand and watch the children I have loved and cared for turn around and compassionately love and care for others." |
I am looking forward to co-leading one of these groups this session beginning on May 26th (registration begins May 19th). If you are in need of encouragement, there is a welcome group for you. Are You Looking For Encouragement? |
Everything We Think We Know About Marriage and Divorce is Wrong |
Half the Sky: When You’re Ready to ACT to Bring All Girls Back: The Esther Initiative |
{Email subscribers can listen to "Do Something" by Matthew West by clicking here }
I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now Thought, how’d we ever get so far down How’s it ever gonna turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?” Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of People living in poverty Children sold into slavery The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, I created you”
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{Words for Wisdom for the Weekend: These are words that I have been challenged or encouraged by that I have read throughout my week that I kept pondering; words that I couldn't get off my mind and heart throughout my week.
I have been slowly catching on to this over the years. It's not about me! And that's ok. What a joy to celebrate today though. Thank you for these words - Happy Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to be recognized and honored on Mother's Day (or any day, really!) but I've learned not to "expect" that. Because I know I am already blessed far more than I deserve. :-) And when I am not looking for someone to give me special treatment, I am even more appreciative when they do. Happy Mother's Day!
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