MORE MUSINGS ON MOTHER'S DAY

MORE MUSINGS ON MOTHER'S DAY
(I am sorry this article starts on such a dark note, but it does get better).

I have often looked at precious little children and mused on the fact that the most evil monsters of human history started as precious little children. They were cute, they were cuddly. They were also carnal, born with an inherited nature, tending toward sin. BUT GOD (what a wonderful phrase, BUT GOD), but God made atonement even for the pre-born and the new born. Jesus's death on the cross made children acceptable to God. In that sense, it is true that Jesus IS THE SAVIOR OF ALL MEN. No one is separated from God and goes to hell because of another person's sins. God judges all men for their own sins. Those precious little children grew up and became the terrible enemies of all that was good and right.

Such inner conflict is too difficult for my mind to grasp. It is impossible to imagine the suffering and confusion experienced by the parents of these sociopaths. It is also impossible to understand the mind of God. God has always known the whole story of all men. He has always known them as precious little children, then as "changelings," then as the "bad seed" that they became. God loved them, God made provision for their salvation. But then God was separated from them because of their own corrupted nature and life. God did not change. The sun does not change, even though it melts the wax and hardens the clay. The fault is not in the stars (destiny), but in ourselves. We either accept or reject the grace and will of God. Yet God relates to us according to our choice. God is love, but He is also righteous and just. In fact, it is the fact of His love and justice that makes His atonement possible.

Now, let's apply this to our own experience. We all started out as precious little children, with the capability of love and a host of other positive qualities, which could be developed to greater capacities. But we also started out with selfishness, and a host of other negative qualities. How we develop as a person depends on how we choose to act and react to life's opportunities and challenges. Of course, we can only react in a salvific and redemptive way, as we are willing believe God for His transforming grace.

Interestingly enough, there are those who resist the call of God and reject His Lordship over their lives, yet they still choose to develop sociable qualities that mask their inner corruption. There are those who believe and receive the grace of God fully into their lives, which conforms them to the image of God's Son. Then there are those who make a limited surrender, saving them from overt wickedness, but not delivering them from selfishness. This comes between them and the people who love them. This lashes out at the people who love them. This builds walls and digs chasms between them and the people who love them.

The best way to give your mother the best present you could ever give her is to surrender fully to Jesus; be done with carnal thinking, talking, and actions. Love with the pure love of God. Love other's as you love yourself. Love God with your whole heart, mind, soul, and strength. As you become the loving child that God intended you to be, you will give others a reason to rejoice. Do not be the person that others dread to have around, because of your negativity or your self assurance and self aggrandizement. Give mom a reason to rejoice, not regret.