Matters of the Heart

Simeon startled Mary in the temple when he suddenly declared about her baby, “This child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed – and a sword will pierce even your own soul – to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35) There would be great things ahead for which Jesus’ mother could be proud, but she also would feel tremendous pain. Every mother can identify with that.

Being Mothers’ Day, we should acknowledge the significance of the person who brought us into the world. Every single one of us has a mother. God gave them the role of supervising and teaching matters of the heart in the home. They read to us on their lap, stuck on band aids to make us feel better, wrung their hands at our sports events, and cried at our graduations and weddings. At the same time they told us to smarten up, eat up and hurry up! Nobody could “tell us like it is” like our moms. Simon Cowell, the British entertainer, said his mother didn’t let him get away with much. Even today when she phones him, he says “It still kind of stings when you get that call.”

Perhaps it could be said that all mothers feel the same kind of pain that Simeon said Mary would feel. She gave birth to a savior, but she watched him crucified. Mothers hurt when they see their kids grow up and head to far-flung places in the world, go through tough experiences, suffer from bad mistakes – but also watch them succeed.

Mothers, we thank you for all that you do. If we have done well in life, you helped us get there.

– Tim Johnson