"I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2 Timothy 1:5 NIV)
I don't often write my blog around themes related to holidays, but as Mother's Day approaches I have been reminded of the remarkable heritage for "God-hunger" that Papa placed in my life through my mother and both of my grandmothers. I realized today that I have spent my life surrounded by remarkable and godly mothers! Both of my grandmothers influenced my journey towards Jesus, and as you will see in a moment, my own mother (now with Jesus), in spite of a life filled with a lot of suffering, planted the things of God deeply in my heart. And my being surrounded with amazing mothers didn't stop there: Jettie was one of the most amazing mothers and grammies that I have ever seen. And I have two daughters-in-law who are also amazing. And now I find myself in relationship with another remarkable mother, the daughter of a remarkable mother and mother of a remarkable mother! Happy Mother's Day, amazing women of God!
My own mother's life story is a tribute to God's grace and human resiliency. Growing up poor, in an abusive home with an alcoholic father until she was about 13, she nonetheless had a remarkable walk with God which sustained her to the end of her life (she was an invalid in great pain the last 5 years of her life). And she passed this walk on to me, her oldest son, in ways that I am still unpacking--I am a blessed man!
So today, I want to share with you three of many poems that my mother wrote while here on earth. It will give you a glimpse into the "sincere faith" of Mary Ellen Wymore who passed that heritage of faith on to her children.
A CHILD’S LOVE
To be cherished and nourished as a fragile
Flower.
It comes sweetly, naturally as God’s love
Comes—
It is freely given, asking only to be loved in
Return.
It is never deceiving or coy, always honest.
The joy it brings to pained or lonely hearts
Is equaled only by the joy of God’s love for
His children.
My daily prayer will always be—God make
Me worthy of any child that may love me.
Mary Ellen Wymore
A THANK YOU TO CHRISTIAN FRIENDS
Thank you, Lord, for friends who care,
Who share my grief and pains,
Who always lend a helping hand
When trouble seems to reign.
Thanks also, Lord, for friends who join
In the joys you’ve given me.
Through the days, months, and years
On life’s uncharted sea.
Thanks most of all for friends right here
Without them life would be devoid
Of lasting joy and sweet elation.
MY TESTIMONY
While lying ,my body wracked with pain,
And a terrible grief fills my soul,
He comes to me quietly, sweetly, saying,
“Peace be with you my child.”
When ugly doubts creep in unannounced,
He whispers, “Be still and know that I am God.”
When sorrow bows my head and emptiness
Fills my heart,
His presence is there to bring solace to
My troubled soul and fill me with love.
When friends and family forsake me,
My God is there to pick up the pieces
Of my shattered being and mold them
Into something beautiful.
Jesus, My Jesus, how beautiful
Is your unfailing love and guidance
In my life. I shall praise you forever!
Mary Ellen Wymore
Happy Mother's Day, mighty woman of God, Mary Ellen Wymore!
Tom, one of Abba's little boys
1 comment:
Thank you for sharing your mom's poems. So uplifting!!
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