^” I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”    NIV

The fullness of God’s relentless love through Christ eludes our full grasp.  But, His love is the soil in which our hearts thrive and the firm foundation on which our faith can rest.

     Mother’s Day reflections of important women of my past –

My grandmother –

Some family members viewed my grandmother as plain, stubby and second.  She was the second wife to my grandfather who lost his first wife.  Was the second prophetic of how she viewed herself and would allow others to treat and see her?

To some people she came across with rough edges and words, possibly, to protect her heart.  But, did she know in her heart how deeply she was loved by our Lord?

How could she not have rough edges?  Edges formed from despair for strength and perseverance when my grandfather left and abandoned her and six kids for greener pastures with another.  He left her in disgrace to raise her children in poor conditions.  When she became ill and hospitalized for quite some time, her kids were uprooted and scattered to orphanages.

I saw a different grandmother.  One who held beauty in her heart as she cared and loved through her cooking and ability to create with her hands.  Her perfect tortillas, fresh off the grill and warm, made a peasant’s meal a feast.

 She was a seamstress by trade and crafted many things for others to enjoy.  I enjoyed the privilege to sit with her one day as she opened her hope chest filled with treasures of cloth stitched with lace and embroidered perfectly with hands that carried so many burdens.

     Did she know how deeply she was loved by our Lord?

My mother –

She was abandoned and uprooted from her family ties into a Catholic orphanage.  One would think she and my aunt would have been embraced with love and care considering the circumstances.  But instead, the nuns were harsh, cruel and slapped them when they spoke Spanish to each other.

With only an 8th grade education, she saw hope in a better life when she met my dad since she had two daughters of her own to care for.  Little did she know, this broken man would also bring years of abuse to our family before the Lord revealed to him how deeply he was loved.

Abandonment and abuse did not change my mother’s heart.  She reflected a life of a simple person who loved beauty, yet did not possess it around her.  Simply profound was her childlike faith.  Her gifts were of humble means.  Maybe that’s why she so loved the “Little Drummer Boy” Christmas song.

     Did she know how deeply she was loved by our Lord? 

My aunt/godmother –

She was placed in the Catholic orphanage with my mother.  Later, she acquired diabetes and eventually her muscles turned hard and rubbery.  Instead of her insulin being absorbed, it would squirt back out when she injected herself.

She was one to look ahead and try to turn circumstances around.  She took home courses in secretarial skills so she could work and better her life.  She was so proud, and rightly so, when she finished her courses.  Upon looking for employment she was continually turned down and discouraged.  Two of the companies admitted they wouldn’t hire her because of the way she looked.  Why is that a reason when she met the employment requirements?

She was an encourager even when none encouraged her.  During my rebellious years, she left an impressive mark in my heart.  She gave me the simplest card with these words I have carried and cherished through the years – You always have a friend in Jesus.

     Did she know how deeply she was loved by our Lord? 

To my daughters, to all the women I know and don’t know (me too) – In Christ, we are held in high esteem and with a love which casts out all fears and doubt.

He holds us completely, even when the world and those near to us feed us the lies of a shallow standard of our value and worth and look upon us as plain, stubby or second.

Even a bag lady in her fragile state seeks and holds beauty within.

May we remember our Lord is, The Inheritance, so beautifully expressed by Graham Cooke, (please listen).  May this inheritance be rooted deeply and securely in our hearts.

Don’t look back, seek beauty and begin to look ahead to see, A Beautiful Life , by Mike’s Chair, the Lord has prepared for His beloved.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Love,
Mom