Caely Judy: Caely Judy is passionate about teaching the next generation about Christ. With a degree in psychology and a minor in art, she has worked with children for several years. She is an artist who uses her work to spread joy and hope.
As another Mother’s Day comes and goes, I am reminded of how grateful I am to have my mom. This day can be bittersweet for many who may not have their mother with them, or perhaps have a strained relationship. I understand how blessed I am and never want to take this for granted.
As I get older, I begin to contemplate what my relationship with Christ would have been like without my mother’s influence over me. Growing up, I was blessed to have a mother who was actively involved in our lives. She was intentional in spending quality time with each of her children. Every moment spent with us was an opportunity to develop a relationship. She knew that to reach our hearts, she needed to build relationships with a foundation of love and trust.
Through years of the trust built between us I began to know her character: reliable, honest, and selfless. When I went through struggles, I knew that I could rely on her for both wisdom and comfort.
Throughout Isaiah 66, Isaiah is warning the Israelites about turning away from God. In verse 4 it says “…For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” God sent Isaiah to give this message to the Israelites to guide them back to him.
With this harsh warning, God also sends a message of hope. Verse 12 and 13 say, “For this is what the Lord says: ‘I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.’”
God didn’t scold Jerusalem so that they would feel ashamed and afraid of his wrath. He corrected them out of love so that they would return to a loving Father.
The greatest gift my mother has given me is to reflect this type of love.
When I have sinned and felt the weight of shame, my mother has seen me as I am: imperfect and broken, and loved me the same. To be fully known and loved is the deepest form of love. I am blessed to have had an example of this love throughout my life, guiding me to understand how much more God cares for his children. Over the years, the woman that I was blessed with as my mother led me to understand a fraction of the love of my heavenly father.
