As I write this, I notice it is ‘Women’s International Day’ and in two days time it will be Mothers Day. I wasn’t quite aware of that when this week we decided to visit our parents graves which are in three different cemeteries around the perimeter of Glasgow. My Mother is buried not far from where we live, so I visit there more often, but Muriel’s Mum and Dad are in graves in opposite sides of the city. In all three locations the headstones were either blown over or in need of cleaning and repair! However it was good to take time out from life’s busy schedule, just to reflect, and give God thanks for parents who loved us, cared for us, and trained us, and help equip us for life in this beautiful yet troubled chaotic world. So here are some photos of my Mother: (You’ll need to click on them to see them properly)
So like most of us, I cherish the memory of my mother. No space to recall here all the things she did for us, and taught us, all the care and attention she devoted to us as her family, all the training on behaviour, and how we must love our brothers and sisters. Most of all for sharing with us as children the story of Jesus who loved us, a love that she reflected in her own personal walk with the Lord she loved. Her favourite song was ‘Constantly abiding Jesus is mine.’
The photographic record of Muriel’s mother and father is not so comprehensive, but she cherishes the photos she has. Muriel didnt actually get to know her father personally, as he was tragically killed in a road accident when she was just one and half years old. Here are some picks
< Muriel at her mum’s graveside. After the death of her young husband Muriel’s mum worked as a butcher all her life, up until her retirement. She paid for her daughters’ tuition in ballet for many years, and saw them both settled in secure jobs and happily married. She then enjoyed and loved her grandchildren. Later in life she made many friends at the women’s group in our church, and one night told us that she had asked Jesus to forgive her sins and to come into her life as Saviour and Lord. Muriel’s mum had become a Christian! At the age of sixty six she was baptised and became a member of the church. Many more happy days followed.
As I think on some of these things, I’m reminded of the word of the Psalmist, when he said
Ps: 119:89,19
‘Your word, LORD, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
There are many gifts we can give to our children, sometimes at great expense, but when we have departed this scene I wonder what they will remember of us? I listened to a preacher some years ago telling how he took his kids to fancy restaurants and bought them expensive birthday and Christmas presents. Now, he says, when they themselves as grown adults come to visit, we often recall the past, but they never mention any of these expensive things. They talk instead about the picnics by the river, the games we played, and the things we taught them. There are some important lessons to learn from that. So again, what lasting memories will our kids have of us?
Personally, I remember my mother kindling the fire for us as kids before we got out of bed on cold frosty mornings, when ‘Jack frost’ was on our bedroom window. I remember her giving me ‘a coal carry’ through to the fire to get dressed. I remember the stories of her childhood as we kids combed her long hair, the picnics, the ‘games nights’ the ‘sing songs’. I remember her teaching me to pray each night – ‘Jesus tender Shepherd hear me, bless this litle lamb to night, in the darkness be thou near me, guard my sleep ’till morning light’. Oh, and I remember she bought me my first watch for my 15th birthday, before I went out to work.
I haven’t asked Muriel about all the things she remember about her mum, but she has spoken about her leaving home early each morning to get to her work She tells of her mum’s sacrifice in paying for her ballet lessons, and of their great holidays at Dunoon. But she often recalls with a smile on her face the night mum said she had become a Christian. I too remember her excitement, as she phoned her friends to tell them, ‘guess what? Mum has become a Christian! …. Your faithfulness continues through all generations
Of course we know that some mothers (and fathers) can abandon their children, causing huge pain and distress. But it is good to know that whatever experience we may have had, that God cares for us. God says in Isaiah 49:15
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
So to all the mothers in my family today and in past generations, and indeed to all faithful mothers everywhere, we honor you today, for your care and sacrifice for us your children, and pray that you will tell them of a God in Heaven who cares and loves them more than word can tell.
Muriel is to me my loving wife, my ‘better half’ and life long friend, now a mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother and an octogenarian! Last week I made a wee video of her telling us of her favourite Psalm, and what it means to her. You can see and hear it by clicking on the link.
Have a great time celebrating your Mother, on Mothers’ Day and indeed on every day!
P.S. All being well, next time I hope to write about some of our recent trips, which we greatly enjoyed!
Matthew
Matthew McKinnon's Blog 