He'd been beaten and berated and then hung out to die. For six hours he'd endured searing pain while stretched on a cross beneath the blazing middle-eastern sky. While his mother watched traumatized, Jesus bled profusely, losing vital body fluids. His tongue was noticeably swollen. His lips were parched.

And yet Jesus found the strength to speak to his close friend John who stood near his grieving mother. "Behold your mother!" (John 19:27 NKJV) Jesus sighed between his heaving breaths. His final words of instruction to his beloved disciple called John to care for the carpenter's mother as is she was his.

On the cross we not only see a God who loved the world, we see a son who loved his mother. His devotion for the one who gave him birth continued to beat in his breaking heart until he breathed his last. Amazingly, in front of skeptics, mockers and his executioners, Jesus used his ebbing strength to tell her so.

There is a bond between a son and his mom that defies simple explanation. Although Joseph had mentored Jesus in the ways of wood, his mother had nourished him in the ways of the heart. His Jewish father passed on to Jesus the traditions of the faith, but Mary faithfully schooled her son in the tangibles qualities of love - tenderness, respect, courage, sensitivity and touch.

When I was an infant, my mother cuddled me with protection and sang the songs of faith as I drifted off to sleep. When I began to grow, she baked cakes for my birthdays. She sewed uniforms like the ones my sports heroes wore. She allowed me to dig backyard graves in which to bury birds, butterflies and squirrels.

As my values were being shaped, my mom helped me see treasures often hidden beneath the dust of discarded junk in a thrift store. Her probing questions would not allow me to live at odds with those with whom I did not get along. My five-foot two-inch mother taught me to never look down on those less fortunate than me and also to look up to those who had something to teach me (no matter their stature). Her love of music taught my soul to sing. Her sense of humor taught me how to laugh. My mother's intimate relationship with her Heavenly Father rubbed off on me. She taught me how to pray.

When my dad nearly died a dozen years ago, I watched my little mother agonize over the possibility of widowhood. In the hospital waiting room I proudly observed the quiet dignity of the woman who had shaped my life and faith like none other. As I witnessed her courage caged by fear, her hope fueled by her faith and her undying devotion to my dad, I was overwhelmed with love. I shared her concern for my dad's survival, but my concern for her well-being was punctuated by my pounding heart.

It's no wonder that more long-distance calls are placed on Mothers' Day than any other day of the year. There's a reason that when TV cameras pan professional football players on the sidelines, they are prone to wave to their mothers (read their lips!). Something deep within the heart of the most masculine man longs to pay tribute to the one who gave him birth and nurtured his life. So it stands to reason that Jesus would spend his depleted currency of words to honor the most significant human in his life --- his mother.

--Copyright 2006 by Greg Asimakoupoulos, Mercer Island, WA.

For more: See The Partial Observer
See also Peggie's Place - The Poetry and Writings of Greg Asimakoupoulos.

Take me back to the MAIN Mother's Day page!

Happy Mother's Day

from THE CASTLE ON THE HILL,

better known as PEGGIE'S PLACE!

Won't you stop in and say hello? You are always welcome at the ̉most fun, Christian home on the Web," where you will find exciting and inspirational resources for the entire family. It's a family-safe, and fun-filled place to be--with many rooms to tour--the Son Room, Fun Room, Family Room, School Room, and more! There's even a CAGE for TEENAGERS! Hope to see you at Peggie's Place!

(Whisper from Joey and Jason, wise guys of THE CASTLE):
Where'd she go?
You better RUN HOME! now--

.

Wanna say hi to Mama?
Click on the mailbox! The Queen loves mail!

With thanks to Songs of Praise
for the beautiful music playing at Peggie's Place.
The original composition is entitled, ̉He Brings the Sunshine."

His Praise Maui!.
Flower images (c) by Kitty Roach.

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Most of the music playing at Peggie's Place originates from Songs of Praise.
Visit their great Web site to hear beautiful tunes by many talented artists. CDs are available.

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Note: Counter keeps a running total of "page views" for the entire site.
--It jogs around the world and around the clock--to find YOU!

This Christian home has been visited a zillion times since December 26, 1995!
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The Christian Counter scans the entire site--and there's plenty of chocolate for everyone--so enjoy!

Please note that while I strongly adhere to major tenets of the evangelical Christian faith, I may not personally agree with every specific doctrinal belief set forth in other Christian pages. I do want to provide a diversity of links and resource material for the entire Body of Christ to enjoy, and trust you will view it as such.

A safety tip: Internet links and material may include other links and/or material which do not reflect my Christian views or yours. Please choose wisely and use with discretion! And if you find an ugly spider hiding in a dark corner, you may smash it with a broom from my BROOM CLOSET--I hate offensive stuff too!

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Copyright 1996-2008 by Peggie C. Bohanon, Springfield, MO. All rights reserved.