May 14: REFLECTING ON YESTERDAY

From all reports today, the Mother’s Day weekend was a financial bonanza, especially for the restaurants. All you need is a little hype and nostalgia mixed with the right amount of guilt and them consumerism takes over. Reports today seem to affirm that the views of motherhood continue to change. Working inside and outside the home doesn’t seem to be an issue at all for American families.
Motherhood and parenthood ought to be intentional. Much motherhood now is accidental as the multitude of teen pregnancies will verify. Making babies is not a sacrament or even an act of worship in the Bible. It is humans joining in partnership with God to create new life.
When I read Genesis 1:27-28, I am struck by the seriousness of this opportunity: “So God created man in His own image, in the image of god, He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘ Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.’” Many parents never teach their children about the gift of creating life and so babies come without any previous thought.
In God’s plan for babies they are to be entrusted to a responsible husband and wife, the child comes to those who are expecting to care for its needs. The child is loved for nine months before it arrives. This is planned parenthood or planned parenthood at its best. Is this idealistic? Perhaps, but not unobtainable if mothers and fathers would begin at an early age to teach the responsibility of parenthood. God’s plan for parenting is still the best option.
The command of Exodus 20:12, “Honor your father and your mother that it may go well with you on the earth” is not going to be obeyed automatically. Children must be taught to respect their parents and the parents must live lives worthy of respect. “Listen to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching” (Proverbs 1:8) is still good instruction for children.
We believers need to take these days of special focus as a springboard for more lasting commitment to the things of God.

“Father, we have a lot of work to do before we make the Heavenly dream
an earthly reality. Clarify Your dream for those who are parents. Amen”