Thoughts of a mother...
THOUGHTS OF A MOTHER ON HER NEW-BORN SON
Now he sleeps, and I am left in quietness to look on his
tranquility. Some scorn the reality of miracles, but how could I? Man extols his
inventions, but you he could not make, for you are a masterpiece of God,
fearfully and wonderfully made. The days of waiting have been joyous, though I
longed for them to pass. The task of preparing for you has been a delight. And
now realization exceeds all anticipation. But then I am overshadowed with
sadness, realizing the responsibility which you bring on me. Yet I am comforted
that God knows my frailties, and has provided a stronger heart than mine,
sharing with me the burden, and together our Father will give us
strength.
How strange it seems that your first understanding of your
Maker will be learned from my lips; your first conception of right and wrong
will be gained from my teaching. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and
when he is old, he will not depart from it." Could, then, any occasion be more
opportune that I should "examine myself, whether I be in the faith"? Perhaps you
will be one of the happy children who will play in the streets of Jerusalem, but
if the heralding of that Day is delayed, what lies beyond? What are my ambitions
for you? Shall I always remember that goodness and gentleness of character are
to be desired above all else? Shall I bear in mind to teach you to seek first
the Kingdom of Heaven? Shall I not forget to tell you the stories of Jesus, of
his love and kindness and his justice, encouraging you to be like him?
Will I ever be ready to encourage you, to spur you on along
the right way, until that happy day dawns when you, now my new-born son, will be
born again? I will see you change from babyhood to boyhood, from boyhood to
manhood, and as you change so my influence will recede, but the impression of
those earlier years will be imprinted on you for all your days. According as
your parents have taught you so will you be.
I see a mother of long ago and the thoughts she utters are my
thoughts also: "For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition
which I asked of Him." I, too, desire that my son should be given to the Lord.
So when the final trumpet shall sound, and when I stand before the Judge of all
the earth, what will he say to me? I see him reproving me for my failures, but
then he asks, "Where is the one talent that was given you? What use have you
made of it?" Will I have hidden this talent in the earth, or will I with
confidence be able to reply, "Lord, see my son"?
**********
THOUGHTS OF A MOTHER ON HER NEW-BORN DAUGHTER
Now she sleeps, and I am left in quietness to look on her
tranquility. Some scorn the reality of miracles, but how could I? Man extols his
inventions, but you he could not make, for you are a masterpiece of God,
fearfully and wonderfully made. The days of waiting have been joyous, though I
longed for them to pass. The task of preparing for you has been a delight. And
now realization exceeds all anticipation. But then I am overshadowed with
sadness, realizing the responsibility which you bring on me. Yet I am comforted
that God knows my frailties, and has provided a stronger heart than mine,
sharing with me the burden, and together our Father will give us
strength.
How strange it seems that your first understanding of your
Maker will be learned from my lips; your first conception of right and wrong
will be gained from my teaching. "Train up a child in the way she should go: and
when she is old, she will not depart from it." Could, then, any occasion be more
opportune that I should "examine myself, whether I be in the faith"? Perhaps you
will be one of the happy children who will play in the streets of Jerusalem, but
if the heralding of that Day is delayed, what lies beyond? What are my ambitions
for you? Shall I always remember that goodness and gentleness of character are
to be desired above all else? Shall I bear in mind to teach you to seek first
the Kingdom of Heaven, so that it may be said of you, "To her was granted that
she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the
righteousness of saints"? Shall I not forget to tell you the stories of Jesus,
of his love and kindness and his justice, encouraging you to be like
him?
Will I ever be ready to encourage you, to spur you on along
the right way, until that happy day dawns when you, now my new-born daughter,
will be born again? I will see you change from a baby to a girl, from a girl to
a young lady, and as you change so my influence will recede, but the impression
of those earlier years will be imprinted on you for all your days. According as
your parents have taught you so will you be.
I see a mother of long ago and the thoughts she utters are my
thoughts also: "For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition
which I asked of Him." I too, desire that my daughter should be given to the
Lord. So when the final trumpet shall sound, and when I stand before the Judge
of all the earth, what will he say to me? I see him reproving me for my
failures, but then he asks, "Where is the one talent that was given you? What
use have you made of it?" Will I have hidden this talent in the earth, or will I
with confidence be able to reply, "Lord, see my daughter"?
(Adapted from Ruth McHaffie, Xdn 90:84)
