Two aMAYzing things about May: Mothers and Military Memorials…

May is a big month for family, isn’t it?  We celebrate Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day in the same month.  (Both begin with ‘M!’)  Believe it or not, the 2 special days are kinda tied together.  “Mother’s Day” in America stems from the service and peacekeeping efforts of a woman named Ann Reeves Jarvis. Ann introduced “Mother’s Day Work Clubs” in the 1800s to help women care for their children: These clubs later became a unifying force in a region of the country still divided over the Civil War. In 1868 Jarvis organized “Mothers’ Friendship Day,” at which mothers gathered with former Union and Confederate soldiers to promote reconciliation. So, service to country, peace, and mom mingled together way back then.

Another thing I see is that moms and military are  both examples of sacrifice.  Why do people sacrifice?  It’s because they love something enough to step outside themselves and their own comfort zone and give without expecting anything back. Think of the heroic moms of soldiers, pilots or sailors who sacrificed and made a difference.   Many of those military figures point to their mom who put good values in them.  Isn’t that aMAYzing?

Finally, Both are biblical… Scripture holds a historical record of moms- and soldiers- who took a stand in the face of hardship and pressure. Think of moms like Mary, Rahab or Elizabeth… and soldiers like David, Jonathan or Joshua.  God told Joshua, … Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:9) And God told Mary … “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God…  (Luke 1:30) All of these people lived a life of honor and service to their family, their country and to our God.  Their examples were so special, God made sure their stories got in the Bible!  We see God personally encouraging and guiding them in their life-mission. We can take inspiration from them every time we read them.  God values moms- and those who sacrifice for freedom and country. That’s also aMAYzing, isn’t it? 

So maybe you aren’t a mom- but you HAD one.  Maybe she was the greatest!  Maybe she wasn’t- but at least she gave you life, and hopefully pointed out the difference between right and wrong. I’m not a mom- obviously!  But in my own life I cherish the godly example of goodness and passion I saw in my mom.  It inspired me to follow her example and serve Christ.  When I moved from business to ministry (a long, scary process!)  my mom encouraged me and celebrated with me as her prayers answered in my life. 

And maybe you aren’t a veteran- but most families have at least one who served.  I’m not a veteran- I was willing to serve, and was 1-A for a year, but was never called.  My sons and my dad are both veterans who saw action-my dad  in WW2 as a sailor- and one of my sons as a pilot in the Iraq War. During May, let’s tell these people what they mean to us, our churches and our country. 

So the month of May gives us more than flowers, food, flags and a day off, doesn’t it?  It gives us reminders of a lot to be thankful for. These 2 important days remind us that God looks over our nation and strengthens us through our moms and our military.  Be sure you thank God for both- and express that gratitude during the aMAYzing month of May!

Enjoy the blessings of May,

Pastor Mark