A Test of Love

A Test of Love

“I love you, Mother,” said little John;

Then, forgetting his work, his cap went on,

And he was off to the garden swing,

Leaving his mother the wood to bring.

“I love you, Mother,” said little Nell;

“I love you better than tongue can tell!”

Then she teased and pouted half the day,

Till mother rejoiced when she went to play.

“I love you, Mother,” said little Fran’

“Today I’ll help you all I can,”

To the cradle then she did softly creep,

And rocked the baby till it fell asleep.

Then stepping softly, she took the broom,

And swept the floor and dusted the room;

Busy and happy all day was she,

Helpful and cheerful as she could be.

“I love you, Mother,” again they said,

Three little children going to bed.

How do you think that Mother guessed

Which of them really loved her best?

......Author unknown to me

Mother quoted this poem to us as we were growing up. I just recently ran across it again and thought it a good way to honor mothers by testing ourselves to see if we pass or fail.

Mothers don't really put us to the "test of love," but we put ourselves there many times over. Growing up, we test that love repeatedly; and sometimes after we're reached adulthood. Speaking for my own mother, I have never know a more unselfish, giving and loving person. Over and over she passed and proved her unconditional love without even thinking about it; it was just a natural way of life for her. I failed repeatedly.

It is so easy to take for granted that kind of love and even unconsciously take advantage of it.

Someone made a statement that God couldn't be everywhere so He made mothers. Of course, that's not an accurate statement. Jesus said He would send the Comforter back when He left and He would "abide with you forever" (John 14:16). The 'you' is everyone who has made Jesus their Savior, so He is everywhere, all the time and giving His love.

But it seems that He placed God-like love in the hearts of mothers so we could see His love demonstrated by them. Perhaps He thought we would understand His love better if we could see it in action through our mothers.

If your mother is still with you, you still have an opportunity to tell her how special she is. Let her know you are aware of and appreciate all the "little" things she has done to make your life better.

Somehow I thought I would always have Mother. I just never accepted she would leave us! She was such a vibrant person who loved life and left her essence wherever she went. Even after her death, I learned of many thoughtful things she did for others expressing her love with no thought of reciprocity. Though I did tell her how much I appreciated her, I wish I had done it more - and could do it again today!

Now, wouldn't this also be a good time to tell God we appreciate His unconditional love as well, while we are telling Him we are thankful for our Mothers? His love surpasses even a Mother's love.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

And Jesus loved us so much that He left the splendor of heaven, came to a sin-cursed earth that rejected Him and gave His life for us.

"Who gave himself for our sin..." (Galatians 1:4).

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).

A test of love for us toward God comes from His Word: "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Such a simple statement but filled with enormous meaning!

One of Mother's favorite sayings was, "Your actions speak louder than your words." If we truly love God and respond to His love, we will do what He says. Only those who love and trust Him, can keep his commandments. It is His enablement that makes it possible for us to keep them.

See, that's not so hard--He said "Keep my commandments" and then He said, "Here, I'll help you keep them. I'll give the ability; and then reward you as if you had done it all yourself." Unconditional Love!

It's not hard to see a relationship between Mother-love and God's, when she has God's love in her heart.

M O T H E R

M is for the many things she gave me.

O means only that she’s growing old.

T is for the tears she shed to save me.

H is for her heart as pure as gold.

E is for the eyes with love light shining.

R means right and right she’ll always be.

Put them altogether they spell “Mother,”

A word that means the world to me.

.......Author unknown to me

I was wondering if perhaps Mothers were not angels in disguise (grin). They are our visible "ministering spirits" patterned after the angels God created.

To All Mothers--

"Happy Mother's Day!"

To all who have living Mothers--

Don't let the opportunity pass to tell your Mother--again!-- that you love and appreciate her! Why not include your mother-in-law too!

......Delores

A Tribute to

Lillie Mae Adams

Click on picture for enlargement

Mother at her 80th Birthday

(Reprinted from Faith Tabernacle "The Christian Chronicles," December 13, 1998 Issue)

On Thanksgiving morning, Sister Lorinda’s mother, Lillie Adams, went on to be with the Lord. We wanted to pay tribute to a woman whose love for the Lord was evident to us. Sister Adams faced many problems in her life, yet her love for the Lord remained. She always had a word of encouragement or advice to share. Here’s just a little tribute to a woman who touched our lives. She was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a friend; but most importantly she was a child of the King.

…….Billie Grubbs

Lillie Mae Adams

She was a strong woman, a woman of unshakeable faith.

She bore more than her share of sorrows, had stared heartache in the face.

Yet through each trial, she sought peace on bended knee.

And through her heart must have been breaking, she never cried, ‘Poor, pitiful me.”

It seems as if she had an iron will;

She just kept moving, never stood still.

She worked no matter if you told her to rest.

In life’s every lesson, she’d pass the test.

Yet even she became feeble as time wore on,

Her mind weak from battles, her heart without song,