A Mother's Day Tribute to My Mom: Janis Watson

I read the following exhortation during the corporate worship service on Mother's Day this year (2012). I truly am thankful for her loving care for me and for the many and varied ways I see that same care taking place in my own home through Karen to our girls. 

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (Prov 31:30).

My mother, Janis Watson, loved me in numerous ways, but there is one facet of her character I want to celebrate this morning. She is a woman who, in word and deed, embodies the fear of the Lord.

God was at the center of our home and its activity. We read and memorized the Scriptures, sang hymns, and prayed. All of this had the effect of communicating that God is real . . . His Word is true . . . and that His love extends to our deepest needs.

I remember praying with my mom when I was young. She had a small notebook in which we wrote the names of those that were sick, poor, or needy in some way. She would sit me in her lap and we would spend time asking God to show His mercy in each case. I still remember when God spared an older man for whom we had been praying—a man with a brain tumor. Seeing God answer a prayer of such significance made an impression. Every time I saw Mr. Nethercutt at church, I was reminded of God’s mercy and fatherly care.

The faith frequently displayed in our home, coupled with the not infrequent conversations of God’s loving-kindness in Christ, laid the foundation for my later salvation. As the writer of Hebrews puts it, “Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

God used my mother to impress the reality of His sovereignty, providence, and love onto my young heart. I rejoice in my memories of her example as well as what I see happening in my own home today as my wife READS, PRAYS, and SINGS with our girls about our God and His steadfast love.

Mothers, I exhort you in your ministry. Be encouraged. Don’t take it lightly or believe the lie that a mother is unremarkable or insignificant. Your words and actions have a unique role in forming the foundation a worldview . . . better: in forming a heart that will shape every decision your child makes. I pray that you too, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, will embody the fear of the Lord and the grace of His Gospel as you minister daily to the children He has given you.

J

Keep that Kid Quiet...

A friend on Facebook posted a link to an article and a quote that I found thought-provoking. Couldn't agree with the following sentiments more:

"Usually disruptions in services are regarded as coming from children. I really appreciate churches that regard the typical children noise as holy noise. One church I visited has taken cries of a child and said to the congregation, 'Turn that cry into a prayer that you're praying for the underserved people of the world whose needs are not being met.' But if a disturbance comes from someone in a tantrum, a child is having a tantrum, then I think that child needs to be removed from the service so that child is not embarrassed by their out-of-control behavior. So it depends on the nature of the disturbance, but to say there should be no disturbances in a worship service creates a very Western, cognitive-oriented worship service. Holy noise that is even sometimes distracting can be a great, beautiful sound to our God." Scottie May, associate professor, Wheaton College

Parents need to be sensitive to address unruliness. However, a coo or momentary cry should not be cause for panic, nor should it draw dirty looks from those around them. Rather than a hindrance to worship, these coos and cries should be aids to thanksgiving for the gift and prospect of glory that this little life represents.

Grace & Peace,

J

Ever Growing

Karen and I are thankful to the Lord for the growth he is giving both our daughters. Both girls seems to be growing at exponential rates. The other day we noted how Emma has nearly outgrown her high chair. When we first put her in it she could barely see over the tray. Now her head from the neck up rises above the back of the chair and the foot rest has been lowered to the lowest setting. Abby has literally doubled her birthweight in two months and seems to have grown a few inches as well. We know this growth is a gift and a blessing. Tonight I am reminded that if they were to stop growing it would be a significant cause for concern.

In similar fashion, our spiritual growth should be viewed in the same way. Calvin makes the following statement on the progressive growth that should be characteristic of the believer:

An eminent man boasted that he grew old, learning. We are therefore thrice miserable Christians if we grow old without advancement, for our faith ought to progress through all stages of our life until it grows to full [maturity]"--Calvin, Institutes, 4.14.8

Such a thought is in line with what Paul says to the Ephesian church:

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,* 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,* to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:11-16 ESV)

Here are some questions through which I am working and commend to you for consideration:
-Are we desirous of good spiritual food? Do we strive for growth in godliness?
-Do we view the loss of appetite for God's Word and righteousness as serious a sickness as if we were not interested in eating physical food?
-Is He, as the Psalmist says, our portion forever?
-Do we live by bread alone to the neglect of the very Word of God?
-Do we understand that our spiritual health or lack thereof is interconnected with that of those around us, because God has ordained that we "build them up in love" (see verse 16 above)?

I pray that we will become ever hungrier for knowledge, communion, and conformity to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May He be formed in us and may we glorify Him now and forever.

Grace & Peace,

Jonathan