MAY 12 BALANCE and the wisdom of MOM

John 2: 1-11

³When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ ⁴And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’⁵His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’

Mother does know best.

Rev. Jason pointed this out during the sermon, and explained that the translation of “Woman” really is more like the Southern “Ma’am”- so that the tone we might infer from this passage is more respectful and inquisitive than “attitude”.  Actually, Mary was prodding Jesus to reveal himself and demonstrate his abilities by turning water into wine.  This little “push” gives Jesus the freedom to test himself for the very first time.  And Mary was right.

This is the balance a Mother can provide- knowing the right time and place, and giving that signal to her child that now is the time, try your hand at this, don’t worry about failing- I trust you.  I love you.  

Yes, we mothers can be guilty of pushing too hard.  The new term is “helicoptering”.  I find it incredibly difficult NOT to hover, not to double-check. 

But becoming a grandmother has helped me “let go”.  Ben is not my child, and I don’t have the right to correct or comment.  But how great my new role is- I get to love and support and not sweat the small stuff!    

We need to be grateful to Mary.  She did indeed give us a remarkable child.  She knew when Jesus needed to shine.  And Mary ultimately let Jesus go.  All powerful and amazing lessons to the rest of us mothers.

I am, a Renewed Christian  

[By the way- what is in your Mother’s Day Collection of handmade gifts from your kids?  I still have a woven pot holder, a fridge magnet with a drawing of a dog and my daughter’s signature and a small beaded bluebonnet pin from my son.  This naturally goes along with my macaroni Christmas ornament of Texas and a special picture frame- both spray painted gold for the holidays.  I have framed a couple of their drawings over the years, and kept the cards hand-written with “You are the best Mommy ever”.  My kids probably don’t realize how sentimental I am, but I still treasure each of these heart-felt gifts. ]