A Brown Mother

Ephesians 6:1-4

Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”–which is the first commandment with a promise–“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on earth.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

She had rushed through the beginning of the book with lightening speed trying to hurry to accomplish reading it. She wanted to own that fact. That she had read it. She also wanted to get all the “tea” on the author’s life story so she could own the fact that she knew that too.

But there was something about this portion that jolted her from her haste and slowed her into reader submission: “In that place of desperation, I picked up a Bible…”

She, too remembered that place of desperation. That sunken feeling of loneliness, of guilt, of the weight of your bad decisions. In that moment, she, too picked up a Bible. It was so second nature…something she had done so often, so without thought, that it wasn’t until this very moment that she realized just how blessed she was.

Her mama had given her Jesus. Had given her God’s word and His salvation and saving grace. No matter the doctrine, she had been given a path to Jesus through God’s word.

How many people reach that place? How many people are desperate? How many people feel sunken in and overwhelmed by guilt, hurt, and shame? All people, right? How many though, instead of picking up a Bible, pick up a habit instead? How many pick up a drug, a pimp, a pair of legs, a hard chest, a drink, a career, a credit card, a gun, or altogether pick up and leave?

But in her moments of desperation, just as the author had, she picked up a Bible…and her life always got better instead of worse.

She was so grateful. So overwhelmingly overcome with gratefulness that she immediately texted her mother to tell her “thank you”. She had that feeling that she is sure so many have had before her. That feeling where you aren’t sure if you want to laugh…or cry…or shout…or run all over the house in praise.

Glory Hallelujah her mother gave her Jesus! She felt great comfort and great relief that she could give her children the same. That she didn’t have to be perfect or carry the total weight of making them or completely ensuring their success on her own. She only had to always pursue Jesus and pray for Him to help her teach her children to do the same.

No matter where they went in life…no matter what they would go through because of their poor choices or the poor choices of others around them, they would be okay. Just as she, and this author were, through it all…okay.

Praise God. Glory to Him and honor to her mother, for she first taught her that He is, that He has power, and where she could always go to find Him.

Ephesians 6:1-4

Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”–which is the first commandment with a promise–“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on earth.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.