A Note from my Mother (September 5, 2011)

…Opening To…

May you continue to have the space for reflection, the silence for relationship with God, the time for relaxation, and the temperament to recognize and rejoice in all of creation. (Edna Thomas)

…Listening In…

I’m reminded of your authentic faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I’m sure that this faith is also inside you. (2 Timothy 1-5; context)

…Filling Up…

Welcome back to devotiONEighty for season 2 of this daily devotional website. I hope your summer was full of grace and joy. Mine was full of both, along with other things as well, but one thing it was not full of was writing devo180 every day. For the first half of the summer this was great, because I was getting a bit burnt out by the end of May. Then I started missing it. So here we are once again. So grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

You probably don’t recognize the name of the person who wrote the quotation in the “Opening To” section above. And that’s okay, because she’s not famous (except in genetically exclusive circles). She’s my mother, and she is one of the wisest and gentlest people I know. She could easily be a saint except that her miracles aren’t the flashy kind that gets you noticed by the canonization committee. Anyway, she wrote those words to me over the summer in a card celebrating the third anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood. The card has been propped open on my desk ever since, and I’m excited that I get to share it with you this week.

So, as we ease back into another season of devo180, I invite you to dig up some wisdom from your own mother. If you can’t, dig up some wisdom from one of those surrogate mothers that everyone seems to collect (I’ve got about five, I think). Reflect on that wisdom, and we’ll pick up with the first phrase of my mother’s message tomorrow.

…Praying For…

Dear God, you are first and eternal, both mother and father to your creation. Help me to take on the part of obedient child that I may continue to grow into the maturity of faith in you; through Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

…Sending Out…

I leave this moment with you, God, wishing for open ears to listen, a sensitive mouth to speak, and strong arms to embrace your people.