Loving Mothers and Others

10 / Sun –Read Ruth 1:16-17 / Ruth 2:1-12, 19-20 / Ruth 4:13-17

Overview: It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday, but don’t expect a message about a mother’s love or about loving our own mothers. Instead, we focus on loving our mothers-in-law and on a farming/gardening practice called gleaning.

11 / Mon – One daughter’s gratitude  |  Read Exodus 20:12

Anna Jarvis had an extraordinary mother who had died in 1905. In May of 1908, Anna organized a memorial service to honor her mother (along with all mothers) at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia…”for the matchless service mothers render to humanity in every field of life.” Anna never had children herself but she wanted families everywhere to set aside a day to show appreciation for the mothers in their lives. How can you express gratitude for the sacrifices your mother made on your behalf? And maybe do it more than once a year?

12 / Tue – Gleaning?  |  Read Deuteronomy 24:19

God instructed harvesters to go through their fields, groves or vineyards only once and leave what remained for the poor in their community to glean (gather). This generosity allowed the Lord to bless the work of their hands. What do you have in your hand? Does your vegetable garden produce more than you need so you can give some away? Do you love to bake for your family and make enought to share with others? Have you gleaned wisdom along the way to pass on to those who are interested? These are just a few things that bless others and makes your heavenly Father smile.

13 / Wed – Differences don’t have to be a barrier  |  Read Ruth 1:16

Ruth truly loved her mother-in-law. How did that happen? They were different in so many ways. Naomi was a foreigner, a displaced Israelite, living in Ruth’s country. Different ages, different religions, different cultural lifestyles, yet something in Naomi’s love for God and kindness to her daughter-in-law, even in her deepest grief, caused Ruth to believe in Him as well. How you live, how you treat others can point them to Jesus. Will you let his love pour out of you today?

14 / Thu – A better perspective  |  Read John 13:34-35 / 1 Samuel 16:6-7

Think of the most obnoxious person in your life. Maybe it’s a nosy neighbor, a difficult co-worker, an ex or a friend who betrayed you, a family member who loves to stir up conflict? It may seem Jesus’ command here is impossible to follow. Why? Is it because we look at people’s outsides instead of their insides, as God does? What would change if you saw that person through His eyes? Will you ask the Lord to help you see what He sees and commit to loving them the way He loves you?

15 / Fri – Sacrificing for those you love  |  Read John 15:13

Love often requires sacrifices. It might mean letting go of some things that you like because they hinder your relationship with the Lord. Loving your spouse can require you to put your self-interests aside. Letting go in order to do what you don’t want to do might be difficult but your faithfulness opens the door for the greater things God wants to do in and through you. Wait before the Lord today with an listening ear and He will show you what to do next.

16 / Sat – No matter the circumstances  |  Read Isaiah 61:10 / Romans 8:31-39

Joy has been described as an acronym meaning: Jesus first, others second and yourself last. How can this order of priorities bring joy? It seems counterintuitive, which many of God’s ideas are. Happiness can be fleeting. True joy remains no matter the circumstances because you know who God is and His sustaining love surrounds you. You know that no-thing can come between the two of you. How has God given you joy in some of the circumstances listed above?