Have you ever thought what you would say if you had the opportunity to speak to your departed mother one more time? Would you tell her that you are sorry that you had not visited her more often? Would you tell her that you are sorry that you had not told her you loved her more often? Would you tell her that you are sorry that you had not gotten more of her hugs and kisses before she left? Occasionally, I have heard grieving children express such remorse. But alas, by then it is too late.

Some of us are still blessed to have our mothers with us. We may take for granted that we have plenty of time to visit, to express our love, or to receive another hug and kiss. However, I am reminded of the words of James. " For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." (James 4:14 NKJV). We are never guaranteed tomorrow, but only the present moment. Because life is so unpredictable let us make sure that we take advantage of every opportunity we have to be with and honor our mothers.

God said, "Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father" (Leviticus 19:3 NKJV).

I Loved You Enough

“You don’t love me!” How many times have your kids laid that one on you? Someday when my children are old enough to understand the logic motivating a mother, I’ll tell them:

• I loved you enough to bug you about where you were going and what time you would get home.
• I loved you enough to let you discover your friend was a creep.
• I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your bedroom, a job that would have taken me 15 minutes.
• I loved you enough to ignore what every other mother did or said.
• I loved you enough to let you stumble, fall, hurt and fail.
• I loved you enough to accept you for what you are, not what I wanted you to be.
• Most of all, I loved you enough to say no when you hated me for it.

Some mothers don’t know when their job is finished. They figure the longer the kids hang around, the better parents they are.

I see children as kites. You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground. You run with them until you’re both breathless...they crash...you add a longer tail. You patch and comfort, adjust and teach—and assure them that someday they will fly.

Finally they are airborne, but they need more string, and you keep letting it out. With each twist of the ball of twine, the kite becomes more distant. You know it won’t be long before that beautiful creature will snap the lifeline that bound you together and soar—free and alone. Only then do you know you did your job.

– Erma Bombeck

Baby Shower

Ghana Campaign 2005
Time is quickly running out – Bob Bauer, Brian Kenyon, Jim Hall, Daniel Stearsman, and Chad Tagtow are scheduled to leave on a missionary journey to Ghana, West Africa, May 19th through June 6th, 2005. Several thousand dollars are still needed to make this worthwhile trip possible. Those who are able and would like to help with this good work can make single contributions and the moneys will be split up as needed among the group of missionaries. Contribution checks should be clearly marked for the “Ghana Fund”.

As we look about us we find that grandpa isn't the only one asleep in the church today. Many are lulled to sleep by the soothing silence of complacency. The church is a sleeping giant in a lost world, but if she ever wakes up and flexes her muscles, great things will happen.