Mary’s Wise Words

Just recently where I live, we celebrated Mother’s Day. A day where we honour our mothers for the love and care they have shown us. My Mother is outstanding in her selflessness towards all of her children, actually all who she meets. 

I admire her for her strength and perseverance that I have seen in her life when circumstances have been difficult. For her peacefulness, mercy and love she exudes to others who are in need. For her generosity and nurturing of 6 children, 23 grandchildren and now 28 great grandchildren and counting. She has always been a listening ear, a caring gesture extended while giving wise counsel. 

My mother is never one to take but to serve and give to others first. I remember many meals where she went without or had less helpings of food so as to give more to her family. She did it quietly without any fanfare, but I noticed. 

She worked full time to help her family and never complained then did all the housework for 8 of us – 6 children, Dad, and our Nanna (who lived with us.) After she retired, Mum volunteered at Meals on wheels, delivering food to the elderly at home. She was also a catechist to the local schools. 

The thing I admire most about my Mum is her faith and trust in God. It never wavered and she was such a good role model for me and all my siblings. Peacefully in the background ever watching and loving us and stepping in to help when needed. 

Maybe you don’t have a Mum like that, but Our loving God has given everyone a perfect Mum – His mother and our mother Mary. She was firstly given the assignment to be the mother of God. She was present at the first work of Jesus in the world. The first miracle of the wedding Feast of Cana she looked out for us. It was Mary who pointed out to Jesus that the wedding party had run out of wine. It was her gentle words that instigated this first miracle. Her mercy and love for us that made the hand of Jesus to act. It was the honour that Jesus gave His mother that He listened to her and all she did was honour Him back by saying to the servants – “do what he tells you to do.” 

Jesus completed the installation of Mary to be our mother while dying on the cross. 

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

John 19:26-27 NRSV

This is the month of May where we have just honoured our mothers and the church designates the whole month to honouring Mary. 

We can do this by listening to her wise words – “Do what He asks you to do.” 

So, I pray that we listen well and hear individually what Jesus might ask of us. 

May these jottings from my journal inspire you to believe in and fall in love with Christ- the hope of the world, as stated in Jeremiah 17:7, ‘Blessed is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord!’

Love

Rosemary

Every week groups of ladies meet together to chat about the things I raise in my weekly blog post and to chat about life in general. We call these ‘Heart Connect’ groups.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What attribute did your mother display that has inspired you over the years? Or is there a mother-figure in your life you had inspired you?

What area of your life do you believe God is asking you to move forward? Are you stepping into the wise words from Mary – “Do what He tells you to do”?