GOD Loves You Mother!

The month of May is made more special because of the celebration of Mother's Day. I praise and thank GOD for my beloved mother (Gaudencia), my beloved mother-in-law (Rosita), my beloved wife (Muffet), who is also the mother of our three grown-up children, my beloved sisters (Japi, Annie, Roqueta, Victoria), my beloved sisters-in-law (Louella and Perlita), my two brothers-in-laws' wives (Brona and Rose Jean); these are all mothers of grown-up children. Add to them the countless mothers whom the LORD have used to bless and inspire me, my wife, and children, in awesome and bountiful ways.

Looking back, I have seen GOD's hand working mightily, graciously, and mercifully in the life of my mother who became a widow when I was nine years old and having a younger brother and two younger sisters. GOD enabled my mother (together with my older sister, Japi) to rear, nurture, and to take care of us all. When I reached high school and during my teen-age years, an older sister (Annie) also became a widow with three very young boys to take care of. Once again GOD manifested His might, graciousness, and mercies, enabling her to care and nurture all of them. My mother, Gaudencia and older sister, Annie never got married again and I doubly admired them for that.

In the Bible, I am blessed with the lives of two mothers (Hannah the wife of Elkanah and mother of Samuel) and (Mary the wife of Joseph and mother of Jesus). They were not exempted from trials and sufferings; nevertheless, they came into a life-changing encounter with the living GOD who hears and answers prayers and who alone does wonders in everyones lives. Both of them offered songs of praise, worship, and thanksgiving to GOD who alone is worthy of all honor and glory. Notice the similarities of the songs of Hannah and Mary: Hannah sang: "...My heart exults in the LORD; my horn (or strength) is exalted in the LORD, my mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation. There is no one holy like the LORD, indeed, there is no one besides You, nor is there any rock like our God..." (1 Samuel 2:1-10), Mary sang: "...My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; for behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name..." (Luke 1:46-55).

It is my heartfelt prayer that all mothers (especially those whom I mentioned by name) would acknowledge and respond to the special touch of GOD upon their lives just like Hannah and Mary and indeed they heartily believed that GOD is their very personal Savior. This living and dynamic relationship with the GOD who alone can save overflowed in their lives, and made a lasting and fruitful impact upon their families and acquaintances. "Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6, 7).