Happy Mother’s Day to all the lovely women reading this. The nurturing hearts of women are one of God’s greatest gifts to this world. May your day be filled with the grace and the joy of the LORD.
One of the best gifts God gave me were two aunts who loved me. Neither had children of their own, but they poured out their hearts to me. One was on my father’s side, an aunt who died when I was nine. The other was on my mother’s side, an aunt who not only loved me, but also lived to love my first child. My aunts were so important to me since my own mother had mental and emotional challenges and could not always provide the encouragement I needed.
I love what Peter wrote in his first letter. “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” [3:3-4 NIV]
“The unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit ….” How I long to have that kind of spirit! I’ve been described many ways, but the terms gentle and quiet have seldom been used in that description. I have always been loud, and often forceful in my determination to get what I want.
God has gently revealed my faults over the years … and I’m sure He has more to reveal in my remaining time. As He does that, I endeavor to follow His leading and obey His promptings to be more like Jesus. “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” [1 Peter 2:21 NIV]
