Thoughts for the Day

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In the UK, today is 'Mothering Sunday' (or 'Mother's Day), the Fourth Sunday in Lent when we think with gratitude of our mothers. When leading the traditional Mothering Sunday Service I would sometimes struggle with the concept of the traditional idea of a mother, since my husband Adrian coped with most things that were then considered 'mother's work'. I remember with gratitude the day he took our one day old son home again when I was readmitted to hospital (the baby couldn't then go back in again!); the times he had to care for our very young boys while I was away on ordination retreats; and the constant meals for the family, while I was off dealing with some parish or Diocesan event. So I often used this Sunday to talk about "Mums and Dads" or "Carers", which covered those who were adopted, or who only had one parent. I would also give all the men flowers as well!

Our reading calls us be kind and patient with one another, and to clothe ourselves with love. Today is a time to be thankful for our mothers who gave birth to us, and to others who brought us up (whether they are alive or not), as well as to God who as our Heavenly Father treats us as his children, and who's everlasting arms are underneath us.

Perhaps we can focus our thoughts and prayers on those:

• Taught us the basics of life.
• Rescued us from disaster.
• Showed us they have always loved us!

Today we thank our Heavenly Father for the ways He has shown us His love. We also thank our mothers for their love, not forgetting others who may have shared this role.

Heavenly Father,
we thank You for the love You have given to us,
and the way You care for us each day.
We pray for Your continued guidance
as we travel the shoals of this world.
Today we give thanks especially for our mothers
and all who cared for us:-
for their love;
for the way they protected and nurtured us;
and for all that they gave to us.
Amen.