Ascension : News From The Grotto - Thought For The Week
Submitted by The Islander (Shari Parkhill) 30.03.2006 (Article Archived on 13.04.2006)

This weekend marked Mothering Sunday, the day to remember our mothers and all mothers around the world. Since Lent is a time of reflection and sacrifice,

Thought For The Week

Mothering Sunday - Fourth Sunday of Lent

This weekend marked Mothering Sunday, the day to remember our mothers and all mothers around the world.  Since Lent is a time of reflection and sacrifice, I’ve again decided to take time to reflect on the sacrifices made by the mothers of my acquaintance, and others we know or hear about.
          First and foremost, we all know the story of the Virgin Mary.  She accepted the special role that God chose for her, as the mother of His son.  She bore this special child in humble surroundings, trusting with her heart that whatever happened to Him, it was His destiny.  She knew that, when the time came, the scriptures would be fulfilled.  With knowledge that His life would not be easy, she still showered Him with all her love.  She watched His life unfold with love and pride, and finally, as events played out, with grief as only a mother can feel.  No matter how powerful her faith, what mother could watch her son be tortured, and not feel His pain?
            How many of us know of a family into which a child with disabilities has been born?  My niece has two children with an inherited disorder, one that leads to physical limitations.  It wasn’t until after her second son was born, and developed the same symptoms as the first, that a diagnosis was finally made.  With it also came the realization that she is also afflicted.  With each generation, the problems become worse, but she lives with the knowledge that she will almost certainly be stricken with cataracts, heart problems and loss of speech.  Her children will be even more severely afflicted.
           Does she love her children any less?  Of course not.  The entire family cherishes these boys, and they are part of a large and loving extended family.  From them they will always receive love, care, respect and the knowledge that they are loved unconditionally.  But above all, their mother’s love, even in the face of her own trials, will shine brighter than anyone else’s.
            Mothers all over the world love and sacrifice for their children.  Mothers are the ones who stay up late to finish that perfect Hallowe’en costume, or to bake cookies for the school bake sale that their child forgot to deliver the notice about until the last moment.  Mothers are the ones who encourage their children at countless endeavours.  We often recognize that our children might not excel at their chosen task, be it track and field, hockey, figure skating, soccer or music, but the mothers are always there, cheering the little ones on, and comforting the ones who don’t come in first.  Mothers encourage them to keep trying, to do their best regardless, and to keep searching for what it right for them.  Mothers supply the foundation for the character of their child, and then let them discover who they really are.  
            Mothers in countries less fortunate do the same, although their sacrifice might be simply to put food in their children’s mouths, or to keep them safe in a dangerous situation.  They guard their children with an instinct that is born the day their first child is.  We see countless stories of the extent mothers will go to protect their children.  A mother in Afghanistan has the same instincts and love for her children as a mother in St. Helena, Ascension Island, the UK or America.  Mothers are mothers all over the world, and today we remember and bless them all.
            God certainly knew what He was doing when He created mothers.  Let us remember all the mothers in our lives, whether they are our own mothers or someone else’s, and take time to appreciate the impact they have in our lives.  To those still with us, let us let them know how much they mean to us.  To those who have gone on to their eternal rest, let us say a prayer of thanksgiving that we were fortunate enough to have known them, and to have benefited from their love and guidance.
            And to mothers everywhere, may God bless us all.