A charge and a hope

Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did;

    you have freed me from my chains.~Psalm 116:16

In this Psalm David offers thanks to God for His deliverance (Psalm 116:1-2), compassion and protection ( Psalm 116:5-6) and His goodness (Psalm 116:12).  He declares himself to be a servant of God and says that He will serve God just as his mother did (Psalm 116:16).  

I cannot recall ever reading about David’s mother in the Bible.  I know about his father Jesse, but the mention of his mother escapes me. But not today.  Today this one clear statement stands before me as a charge and a banner of hope.  “I serve you just as my mother did.” 

Maybe David’s mother’s name is not specifically listed, but her actions speak loudly.  She served the Lord and David watched her serve the Lord.  She was a signpost or marker in his life.  Sure, David lost his way sometimes, but He acknowledged the truth of who God is and always turned to the Lord.  He knew he was a servant just like his mother.

Sometimes motherhood can get lost in the shuffle of the mundane things. The every day responsibilities of tending to the needs of the family  whether it be cooking, cleaning, carpooling, being a caregiver  or taxi cab driver, or sounding board for others can be exhausting. Sometimes we may think those things don’t matter or have an impact in the Kingdom, but they can and do.

As mother’s we have such an awesome opportunity to demonstrate the love of God and our love for God in the everyday things. We have a charge to do everything unto the Lord.  We have a charge to let our children see and hear is pray and worship God.  We can show them what it means to be charitable and kind.   We can let our families know that what we do is a result of who we are in Christ.  We can be intentional in our conversations because they are watching.

Just as we have a charge, we have a hope. We have the hope that if we continue to be diligent in planting the seeds in our children that we reap a harvest (Galatians 6:9) We will see the fruits of labor in our offspring.  We have a hope that even when they rebel and go off on their own way that they will return just as the prodigal son did (Luke 15:11-32; Proverbs 22:6). We have a hope in Christ the One who Saves.  The One who hears our cries (Psalm 116:1-2). We have the hope that just like David our children will serve the Lord just as we are doing.

God has blessed me with mothers in my life.  Aunts who have loved on me as well as ladies in my church and in my place of employment.  Being a mother goes beyond biology.  All of as women have an opportunity to care for others and be a light to a younger or contemporary generation.  We all have a charge and a hope.

Father, I thank You for my mother.  I thank You for all the women you have placed in my life that have pointed me to You.  May I be godly influence for my children and all those you have placed in my care.  In Jesus name. Amen