A gift for you from Rejoice Marriage Ministries

A MOTHER'S LOVE

by Bob Steinkamp

"It's no use," Jan told her prayer partner, Nancy, "Nothing's going to ever change. Leopards don't change their spots and my husband will never change. He's not coming back, and I don't even know if I want him back."

"What did God promise you when you began to pray for Wylie?" Nancy inquired wisely.

"I know, but now I'm not even sure that I heard God correctly. Do you realize that tomorrow is Mother's Day and I could have a man who loves me helping my little Steve bring me breakfast in bed? Instead, I sit here, praying for someone who walked out on me. I doubt if I will even get a gift. What can a nine year old boy do by himself? God must have a man somewhere who wants to be my husband."

"Jan, what about all the things that the Lord has done for you? How many times have you been desperate, we have prayed, and the Lord has provided. Want me to remind you of some of them."

"Not really," a weeping Jan replied, "it's just too hard to pray and stand and I give up. I guess I have to go. It's getting dark out and Steve doesn't come in the house any more until I call and call. A little boy needs a dad. I can see him starting to go the wrong way. Wylie doesn't even want to see his own son very often."

"What are you having for dinner?" Nancy asked, in an attempt to change the topic.

"Steve gets his choice of grilled cheese or macaroni and cheese. I could be the spokesman for the cheese business, considering how much of it we eat, since Wylie left us, but it's a cheap meal," Jan answered.

"Let me pray for you, Jan, before we hang up."

At dusk, on that Saturday evening before Mother's Day, Nancy prayed and asked the Lord to confirm to her best friend, Jan, through Mother's Day, that restoration of her marriage and of her family was His will.

As often happened, both women were crying when they hung up. "It's time to start my nightly battle," Jan resigned, "calling and calling to get my kid in the house."

Jan hung up, walked over to the back door, flipped on the porch light, and began to call her son to come in. She could see Steve and his buddy from next door playing in the far end of their yard, out by the fence where they often made their "forts."

This nightly ritual usually lasted about 45 minutes. Although Jan was not aware of her key word, Steve had learned that his mom meant business when she used the word, "grounded," and that was when he would come in from playing each evening.

About mid-way through her calling, Jan had a thought. "Wonder when he would come home if I didn't call him? I think I'll find out."

"Steve, the door is open and I will be having supper in ten minutes. Come home, please. That's the last time I will ask."

Jan did leave the door open. She grilled two cheese sandwiches, confident that little Steve would decide to come home sometime before breakfast. As Jan ate alone, she could hear the muffled voices of the two boys, but could not distinguish what they were saying.

After supper, Jan thought, "Maybe I should remind him that it's time to take a bath and for us to get his church clothes ready." She resisted calling, intent on discovering what it would taken to bring her nine year old son into the house.

It doesn't take long to wash a skillet and one plate, but after the dishes were done, Jan had the urge to go outside and drag Steve into the house. She resisted doing so.

Jan sat at the kitchen table, intermittently reading her Bible, praying, and writing checks to pay her May bills. "Monday's the tenth, Mother's Day or not," she thought.

Finally, Jan could wait no longer. She stood up and was headed for the back door when she became aware the boys' voices were getting closer. Suddenly Steve and his little buddy burst in the door. Both were covered with dirt and wore big grins.

"Mom!" Steve exclaimed, "come outside with us. Hurry, and bring the flashlight."

On the way out the door, Jan glanced at the clock. It had taken her son until 9:15 P.M. to come in on his own. She walked behind the two boys, who were running excitedly to the back of their yard.

"Look, Mom!" Steve declared, " Me and Calvin made you a garden where you can come and pray for Daddy. You know the song you like about ‘the garden alone?' I made you your very own for Mother's Day."

Jan saw a masterpiece. You and I would have seen a flower bed that had been torn up, a few weeds stuck in the ground, a pile of rocks, and two sticks.

"Mom, "that's the tomb of Jesus, made out of rocks, and there is His cross in the back, ‘cause you say only Jesus can ever bring Daddy home."

Jan embraced her little boy, dirt and all, while she declared, "I could not be more proud of you . ."

"Am I just like Daddy?" Steve interrupted."

"Yes, honey, you are just like Daddy."

"That's when the Holy Spirit of God spoke to our sister. He had left his beloved Wylie out in the far country, away from someone who loved him. There was coming a day when everything would be finished and He would send Wylie running for that door. Even if he came in all dirty, he would be welcomed, and there would be rejoicing. You and I might see the dirt, but Jan and Wylie would see the beauty of a marriage, restored by our Lord Jesus.

"Steve, I love you so much," Jan declared, ashamed of her thoughts about little Steve not coming home the first time he was called. "Let me hold you and we'll pray for Daddy right now."

Jan and Steve had a beautiful Mother's Day together. There was nothing special, but nevertheless, it was a beautiful Sunday.

By the way Wylie had a miserable day. He could not stop recalling Mother's Day of the previous eight years.

Dear friend, regardless of your circumstances, God is in control. He has a plan and a purpose, and He IS calling your prodigal home.

© 2004 Rejoice Ministries, Inc. Duplication or republication without written permission is strictly prohibited.