First Mother's Day

I find that some Bible verses hold a mystery. It seems like they keep coming into my reading, and some take time for me to understand them. Today's Scripture is one such verse.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come! (NIV)

Our past can follow us, and it plays a large role in who we are and how we react to things. Due to circumstances in my growing up, I became unable to show any emotions. Even when our first child was born, I couldn't show or feel any emotional responses.

Philippians 1:6 - Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Through the next five years, the Lord continued to do a work in my life. A work of healing and restoration began to take place. As another Mother's Day came around, I was not prepared for what the Lord had in store for me. As I went to get the boys ready for church, I felt in my spirit the Lord's message: Enjoy your first Mother's Day. Emotion flowed from the depths of my heart. I was able to cry and laugh and hug our boys with a mother's love.

It was through this that I gained an understanding of today's "mystery" verse, 2 Corinthians 5:17. In the midst of our trials, the Lord shows His love and grace to us.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for being in our lives and for the healing that You bring to us. We praise and thank You for mothers and motherhood. We pray for restoration and healing in the lives of many in this world who find themselves in relationships away from You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Julie Bowles