Mothering

As soon as I saw this sign outside the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, my heart was stirred with emotion. I immediately began taking photos to get just the right ‘shot’ of it. Mr. Small Town couldn’t understand why I wanted to take so many photos. Obviously, it did nothing to invoke any emotions in him, except he wanted to get inside the museum because he was cold.

Later as we were exploring the museum, we sat down in front of the windows overlooking the sign. To my delight, and Mr. Small Town’s surprise, there were at least five other women there taking multiple photos of the sign. They were stirred to emotion too!

As I sat there looking at the sign I happened to take note of what was around the museum. In the background of the photo you can see the Lurie Children’s Hospital. Across from the museum there is a park complete with a jungle gym, benches, lots of trees with grass and shade for kids to run and play. To the back of the museum is another park complete with tennis courts and other areas for kids to play. And opposite the hospital is a shopping mall with shops like American Girl and Legoland.

While I don’t know who or what the artist’s motives were in designing or placing the sign, I know that God has a purpose for the sign.

He knew that there would be mothers who would get unexpected and unwelcomed news from doctors and would need some solace. He knew there would be mothers who needed a break from the hospital and possibly with other kids in tow, who needed to play and let off some energy. He knew there would be mothers who might want to go and get a toy for a sick child. He knew there would be mothers who would need a place to go for a walk in order to get out of the hospital for a time alone.

He knew that there would be mothers who would need to reminded that He is always available to hear their prayers about their child. And that He welcomes the prayers of mothers.

God’s been listening to the prayers of mothers beginning with Eve. Remember Cain and Able? Or how about Noah’s wife as she listened to her sons working with their dad on a crazy boat God told him to build? What about Moses’ mother who worried about her son’s life? Who could forget Sara or Hagar? Or Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s mother? And the other unnamed mothers throughout history who have poured out their hearts to God on behalf of their children.

God hears the prayers of mothers. He gives out wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and discernment abundantly. All you have to do is ask.

So, if this mother’s day your child is ungrateful and sassy, your husband didn’t make the dinner reservations, didn’t get you a gift, every expectation you had of the day goes wrong, or

you just don’t feel appreciated, remember this…