She Did the Best She Could, part 2
Mother's Day is a couple of days away. It is on my radar for obvious reasons. I am blessed with a mother and mother-in-law who are both wonderful to us. Chris and I want to make sure we prioritize spending time with them and honoring them, but it is also on my radar because I am preparing a Mother's Day message I will teach at One City Church.
As it would go, I am currently in Isaiah for my Priority Time, and I could not help but notice how God kindly put another perspective in my path. To give you a hint of the context of this passage, the ESV has the subtitles for this chapter- "Do Not Go Down to Egypt," followed by "A Rebellious People." With those two subtitles, you can imagine how Isaiah 30 starts. What was true 2000+ years ago is still true today. Most of us are pretty stubborn people who try our solution before following God's lead. Moms, does this feel familiar? How often do we warn our children and try to protect them, only for them to decide they will try things their way first?
But after that, look at what verse 19 has to say.
19 For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you. 20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. 21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. 22 Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images. You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, "Be gone!"
23 And he will give rain for the seed with which you sow the ground, and bread, the produce of the ground, which will be rich and plenteous.
As an earthly mother and a daughter of the King, there is something so reassuring about God's heart towards His children. He has every reason to allow us to keep weeping when we resist His instruction, and yet He says as soon as we cry out, He is there. Yes, we sometimes walk through the "bread of adversity" (I am definitely going no-carb now!) and the "water of affliction," but He will always be there and will always guide us through.
Whether you need to know this for you or your children, this Mother's Day, take comfort that we serve a merciful God that is ready to show us the way the moment we ask. Even when we go astray, His love does not.
It may not be perfect as you approach Mother's Day, but there is still so much to celebrate, knowing our Heavenly Father works even when we cannot see it. God's got His part under control, and I hope you'll join me this Sunday for my message, “She's Doing the Best She Can,” for some encouragement on our part.