“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge God, and God will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Every morning my mother texts me a Bible verse.  She lives in a different time zone and so the text is waiting for me the moment I get up.  This means that when I check my phone in the morning, the first thing I see is the scripture verse she has sent.  It is a great way to begin the day.

Sometimes there is an obvious connection to the day.  On Maundy Thursday, the day we remember Jesus in the Upper Room and his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, my mother sent me a verse from Matthew.

“Then he said to them my soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.  Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matthew 26:38

This verse from Matthew comes from the story when Jesus asked the disciples to pray with him.  However, they were exhausted and, like me hitting the snooze button that day, they fell asleep.

On the day after the one-year anniversary of my Dad’s death, she sent me a powerful verse from the Psalms.

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy swelling” Psalm 68:5

We thought about how God has provided father figures to those in need and in the same way how God has been a mother to the motherless.

Sometimes the connection isn’t always immediately apparent.  I remember being a bit more on alert on the day she sent me a verse from James.

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because having stood the test that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised.” James 1:12

I did not feel any trial at that time and I hoped the verse was not a portend of things to come.

No long ago she sent me the verse above from Proverbs 3.  It is a good scripture in every season.  It encourages us to be humble and reminds us that we are not alone.  It speaks of God’s provision and trustworthiness.  And it reminds us to not get distracted or lost in the weeds down but instead to keep our focus on that which truly matters.

My mom has a great way blessing me.  She shares her wisdom, points me to God, and reminds me of our higher calling.  I hope I can be that kind of parent for my children.  As we approach Mother’s Day, I know that this annual celebration often has many layers for people.  It is my hope and prayer that this weekend you feel appreciated for the ways you have nurtured and protected others.  It is my hope and prayer that you have an opportunity to give thanks for the people who have been a blessed mothering presence in your life.