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Cover Article
“Thoughts for Mother's Day & Father's Day"
Few, if any, earthly “loves” can compare with the love of a
parent for a child. Almost all who read this can easily recall visions of
maternal and paternal care that went far beyond the call of just “duty.” Fathers
who worked from “sun to sun,” and mothers whose work was “never done”
characterized the memories of our childhoods. There were no 40-hour weeks in
those days, and work was far from over when Dad left the job and came home. Home
repairs, shade-tree mechanic work, gardening, freezing and canning were just
some of the life-consuming tasks that were his and Mom’s before they fell
exhausted into bed. The work ethic they both displayed for us has stood us in
good stead in the years that followed.
For 56 years, 3 months, and 20 days, I had the impact of my (then-living) father
upon my life. For an additional 2 years, 6 months, and 20 days my mother
remained as a strong influence before she departed for heaven. Not many people
are so fortunate to have such a blessed situation for such a long period of
time. I think of one college roommate who had little if any support from his
parents as he prepared for and entered into vocational Christian ministry. The
Scripture verse cited above was of great comfort and encouragement to him. He
leaned on its truth heavily in times of difficulty, and I admired him for it.
Some, like Jack (my roommate), never have parental assistance. Others may have
it in some areas of “secular” life, but perhaps not in “Christian” pursuits.
Still others enjoy that support for a time, but miss it greatly when, in God’s
Providential timing, it is removed (as in my own case). It is a wonderful thing
to know that we always have God’s support (in any venture that pleases Him). No
cerebral hemorrhage will ever remove the heavenly Father from our lives (as it
did my dad). The God “Who keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps,” so He can
never die in peaceful slumber (as did my mother). Our calls to heaven will never
go unanswered because of the absence or infirmity of God.
A couple of centuries after David wrote Psalm 27, Isaiah offered this similar
comparison of relationships between earthly parents and the heavenly Father:
Isaiah 49:15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion
on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” The
question he asks seems to demand a “No” answer, but then the prophet suggests
that a mother “may forget” her nursing child. As unthinkable as that may be to
some of us, it does happen; and when it does, we believers have the great
consolation of God’s unfailing care for His children.
I am confident that I speak for my 4 siblings when I thank
God for the care He gave us through our parents. For years now, Mothers’ Day and
Fathers’ Day have been sad and glad times for the 5 of us. Sad in that we miss
that duo who lovingly raised us - glad in that they are with the Lord. If you
have a living parent, be sure to honor them, especially on these two holidays
designed for that purpose. Our appreciation goes out to those who honor living
parents and remember departed ones through gifts to the ministry of the Mission.
Those gifts help us minister to the needy and hurting sons and daughters of many
mothers and fathers.
Superintendent's
Corner
"God at Work in Families"
Not so many months ago, perhaps even a couple of years
back, a family whom I met through ministering to their son called me hoping I
knew where he was. I did not, and we grieved together that he was missing and
not in touch with those who love him. God brought that young man back into all
our lives about six months ago. What a reunion it was! The faith that had saved
him years before had now really gripped his heart, and he was truly a new
creation in Christ! My friend is faithfully serving the Lord, active in worship,
and growing as a Christian. It is a joy to observe and participate in what God
is doing. He and I meet each week for a time of Bible study and prayer, early in
the morning.
At the time of this writing, both his parents are in the hospital. This morning
we visited them, and the sights I saw there thrilled my heart. As the son was
greeted by the mother, tears welled up in my eyes. He leaned his frame over the
bed where she lay, warm with fever, and smothered her with kisses. They
exchanged their deep feelings for each other as I looked on. He attempted to
calm her fears about her own medical future with sane and sound comments. His
growing knowledge of Scripture enabled him to speak to her with the wisdom of
maturity.
Our visit with his mom having concluded, we went down the hall, pushing his dad
in a wheel chair, and visited with him a while. We worked to get the dad into
the bed - he was quite weak from several days in the hospital. Once estranged
and in a most difficult relationship, this father and son now chatted warmly and
amicably. Gentle kisses were exchanged between them, and the old enmities were
not apparent at all. I have had many conversations with each of these men over
the years, but it was my delight to sit silently by for most of the visit while
they conversed.
My observations of these scenes include that God is able to do between men what
He has done between the sinner and Himself - bring reconciliation. He has done
for the father and son, once quite at odds with each other, what He did for Jew
and Gentile in the church - He broke down the “dividing wall of hostility...
thus making peace ” (Ephesians 2:14, 15). This “once-prodigal son” is now
restored, and his presence and help are a constant source of joy to his parents.
Where formerly they worried almost endlessly about the welfare of their son, now
it is he who exhibits ongoing concern for how they are doing. Our God is truly
able to “do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20),
and in this family’s life, we have seen Him so work! Thank you, thank you, Lord.
A Note From Alan
"A Grateful Visitor"
A first-time visitor checked in and proceeded to tell me
his story. He had fallen on hard times while living in Raleigh, NC. Out of
desperation, he moved in with his fiancé to attempt to make ends meet. His
pastor found out about his living situation and challenged him that making a
sinful choice would never be the answer to turning his bad situation around
(praise God for this pastor!!!). His fiancé and he agreed, and he moved to
Virginia to find work.
He stopped by my office about a week into his stay with us just to say thanks to
the Mission for being there. He said he had lived long enough to realize that no
one had to do anything nice for you, but he was grateful that we had extended
kindness upon kindness to him. He also realized that there were a lot of folks
out there responsible for allowing PRM to be here with doors wide open. Those
conversations are always fun!!
The following morning he stopped by again and said he was really trying hard to
trust God in all things, but he wanted to share with me that his wallet had been
stolen from under his pillow during the night. We have very little problem with
theft in our residential dorms, but sadly, it does happen from time to time. As
you can imagine, it is impossible to ever track down the culprit. Our visitor
left to begin making phone calls regarding his stolen wallet.
On a whim I walked up to the dorm room to look for his wallet myself. Lodged on
a small landing on the bunk beneath his, lay his wallet!!!! He had simply
shifted during the night, causing it to fall and land on this little ledge. I
grabbed it and ran outside, but he was already gone. Not wanting him to spend
the whole day worried about his wallet, I drove around downtown looking for him.
There he sat on a wooden guardrail near the downtown bus station. He was on the
phone with his fiancé as I pulled up and held his wallet out to him. His face
lit up, and he screamed into the phone, “Never mind… they found my wallet… I'll
call you later!!” It was a pretty funny scene. Once again, this man gushed forth
gratitude for all that the Mission had done for him!!
We are well aware that it is God Who keeps the Rescue Mission doors open. We
also know that He uses you in that process. We thank you for month after month,
year after year, allowing us to continue to serve Him here at PRM.
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