2nd Chances: Pastoral Reflections

For Mothers Day

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, 'It's okay honey, Mommy's here.' Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted. This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T. This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes. This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors. And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars. And that when their kids asked, 'Did you see me, Mom?'they could say, ‘Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world,'

and mean it. This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids inthe grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens. This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words. This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.

For all the mothers who read 'Goodnight, Moon' twice a night for a year. And then read it again, 'Just one more time.' This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead. This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls 'Mom?' in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college -- or have their own families. This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them. For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green. For all the mothers of the victims of school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting. For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers whosat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely. This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war..

What makes a good mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time? Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache she feels when she watches her son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time? The jolt that takes her from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put her hand on the back of a sleeping baby? The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when she just wants to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in her home? Or the need to flee from wherever she is and hug her child when she hears news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation... And for mature mothers learning to let go. For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers. Single mothers and married mothers. Mothers with money, mothers without.  This is for you all. For all of us. Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them. And pray, and never stop being a mother...  

 

Positive Culture Shift

Yesterday at the church on behalf of the Hanover Park Community Resource Center (HPCRC) we had a very successful lunch conference with businesses, school officials, churches and local leaders to talk about tutoring, mentoring and making a difference in the life of a child.  Allison Swade organized the event, Jimmy John's donated food, Starbucks coffee and almost 40 people attended.  It was such a good thing.  We connected around our community, we found our passions and concerns were the same.  We not only want this place to be a great hometown for us and our respective churches and businesses, but for the kids.  For everyone. We want Hanover Park's children, our children, all the children, to be successful.  To know they are loved.  To know that there are adults who care about them.  And we as a group affirmed our understanding that if these things are going to happen it is up to us to act.  We have to make that priority as important as our own.

Is that not what God says, what God tells us to do?  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with ll your soul and with all your strength. And love your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus Loves You Too

Jesus loves me this I know.

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong,

we are weak but He is strong.

 (CHORUS)

YES, JESUS LOVES ME. YES, JESUS LOVES ME.

YES, JESUS LOVES ME - THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

 Jesus loves me, this I know,

Though my hair is white as snow

Though my sight is growing dim,

Still He bids me trust in Him.
(CHORUS)

Though my steps are oh, so slow,

With my hand in His I'll go

On through life, let come what may,

He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,

In my heart He puts a song.

Telling me in words so clear,

"Have no fear, for I am near."

(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,

And life's victories have been won.

He will take me home above,

Then I'll understand His love

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus , does He know?

Have I ever told Him so?

Jesus loves to hear me say,

That I love Him every day.

(CHORUS)

The Donkey's story.

Here is my sermon from  Palm Sunday. 
It was fun to write, I hope you enjoy it.
Jennie

   

Download clipidie_clipidie_clop.doc

And bring along some children too...

I saw a cool thing today and I wanted to share it with you.  I stopped by church about 5:15pm and the Salvation Army Corps was finishing up their Sunday service.  I exchanged hugs and Ola's with a bunch of people I've gotten to know and they loaded up into their cars to go home.  I ran inside to grab something I forgot and when I came back out, the 15 passenger van Captain Azuaje drives was pulling away...every seat filled with a child.  I don't know where he found them all, where they live or who they belong to, but isn't it a cool thing that they came?  Wow.  Bring in the kids... and the parents will come. And if not, keep bringing the kids anyway.
I was really moved and thought it was great, and it lifted my day a little more.  Hopefully it does the same for you.

Peace.
Pastor Jennie