Pratt: Shine the bright light of joy, hope this Mother's Day
All the foibles of human kind may be summarized within the most powerful concept of the feminine – Mother.
Through the ages her mystery has only deepened within a variety of cultures so diverse that we are easily overwhelmed by the concept. How quickly did the role of that first pair of humans diverge into what we call family?
Legend attempts to define the role of she who is called woman, including the powers of a goddess. So maybe it is not so ridiculous as it seems that today's society is confused about the key differences between man and woman, male and female.
Efforts to erase genetic “difference” would be comical if the reality were not so devastating to those who become confused and try to change what is inborn via surgical and/or drug intervention to select “male” or “female” designation.
In the book of Genesis, which means “beginning,” Adam and Eve, created male and female, are invited to communicate freely with their Creator. Eve had bigger ambitions, and Adam was happy to cooperate. Their rebellion had epic effects.
Does God look upon us today with anger or sorrow that we take so lightly his gift of relationships?
An issue must be resolved. A rebellious army of heavenly servants were led into war by God's most dazzling angel, Lucifer, who wanted to sit upon God's throne.
In the midst of ancient times, numerous stories were devised by mankind to describe and excuse the evil intentions of those who followed Lucifer in his ejection from Heaven.
But wherever the story begins and ends, there is one factor that defies evil's challenge – transformation of humankind.
Human parents learn more about God's love through the new life that together they bring into the world.
As a young “expectant” mother, I had no idea of the depth of emotion that would occur when that first tiny son was placed in my arms. It was a stunning surge of protective love that I was too young to realize existed until each of my three sons were born.
Sometimes, I think we reduce God's gift of life into mere entertainment with no thought of the stunning gift of creation in our own images. Most important, with it comes the powerful need for God's blessing.
For the first time, I had a tiny inkling of the love that drove my own parents to work so hard to provide lovingly for me and my two younger brothers.
This curse of grief and pain God placed on Eve becomes her greatest blessing – the ability to give unselfishly to benefit her children.
It is God's plan for building his own family into an eternal fellowship that is far more amazing than my mind can conceive.
As I grew older, the more I recognized the sacrifices of my parents, who struggled mightily to keep us sheltered and fed. God's leadership was always their guide.
In our increasingly secular society, I see difficult storms ahead in terms of finding friends, family and work environments that provide nurturing of faithfulness to God and family.
Poverty is a difficult reality, but I conclude great material wealth is even more dangerous. With it comes temptation to follow worldly paths rather than the more narrow way that leads to God's ultimate, heavenly blessing for humanity.
The Prophet Isaiah long ago declares of biblical Israel, God's people, “Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey ...” (Isaiah 59:15 NIV)
But hope also abounds: “The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.” (Isaiah 60:19)
Rather than focus on problems, let us shine the bright light of joy and hope on this Mother's Day. Our children need us today and every day, just as we need God's presence.
Beth Pratt retired as religion editor from the Avalanche-Journal after 25 years. You can email her at beth.pratt@cheerful.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: \Pratt: Shine the bright light of joy, hope this Mother's Day
