Daily Scripture:
Luke 2:41 Every year Yeshua’s parents went to Yerushalayim for the festival of Pesach. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up for the festival, as custom required. 43 But after the festival was over, when his parents returned, Yeshua remained in Yerushalayim. They didn’t realize this; 44 supposing that he was somewhere in the caravan, they spent a whole day on the road before they began searching for him among their relatives and friends. 45 Failing to find him, they returned to Yerushalayim to look for him. 46 On the third day they found him — he was sitting in the Temple court among the rabbis, not only listening to them but questioning what they said; 47 and everyone who heard him was astonished at his insight and his responses. 48 When his parents saw him, they were shocked; and his mother said to him, “Son! Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been terribly worried looking for you!” 49 He said to them, “Why did you have to look for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be concerning myself with my Father’s affairs?” 50 But they didn’t understand what he meant.
51 So he went with them to Natzeret and was obedient to them. But his mother stored up all these things in her heart. (Complete Jewish Bible).
Prayer Tip:
This weekend is Mother’s Day. Many of us have loving, healthy relationships with our mothers. This is such a gift. Some of us, though, have grown up in different environments. We may have had distant moms, moms who suffered from mental illness or substance abuse. For a variety of reasons, some mothers have become estranged from their children, or at least seen the relationships become strained.
With all the celebration that surrounds us, with the aisles of reminders of Mother’s Day in stores, it can feel very lonely if you are not in good relationship with your mother or your child, or if you are grieving a loss or an inability to have children. If that’s your situation, you are not alone, and it is okay to be sad. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
I have a strained relationship with my step children and it grieves me. It tends to be a big source of shame in my life, something I sometimes try to hide. I pray daily that God will heal that relationship, and I have hope in my heart that those prayers will be answered. I keep their pictures up so that if one day they come visit me they will see their photos are still up.
In addition to prayer I see a therapist. She helps me navigate these challenges in healthy ways so they don’t sabotage my other relationships. I am so thankful to God for the gift of counseling, and we offer this gift here at the church as well.
If you find yourself struggling with a relationship with your parent, or if you are a parent who has a difficult relationship with your child, Congregational Care would love to help. You can meet with a pastor or go to cor.org/counselingreferral to get connected with counseling resources. You can use this Mother’s Day as a day to start changing your relationships and find healing.
Loving Lord, we know that you created us to be in community with each other. However, we are flawed creatures who sometimes have difficulty connecting. We know you have the power to heal and mend relationships. Please bless the relationships between mothers and their children. Help the bonds grow healthy and strong. Where there is hurt provide healing—where there is health and love help provide gratitude and appreciation for such a wonderful blessing. (Ashly Cooley, Counseling & Support Ministries)
This weekend is Mother’s Day. Many of us have loving, healthy relationships with our mothers. This is such a gift. Some of us, though, have grown up in different environments. We may have had distant moms, moms who suffered from mental illness or substance abuse. For a variety of reasons, some mothers have become estranged from their children, or at least seen the relationships become strained.
With all the celebration that surrounds us, with the aisles of reminders of Mother’s Day in stores, it can feel very lonely if you are not in good relationship with your mother or your child, or if you are grieving a loss or an inability to have children. If that’s your situation, you are not alone, and it is okay to be sad. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
I have a strained relationship with my step children and it grieves me. It tends to be a big source of shame in my life, something I sometimes try to hide. I pray daily that God will heal that relationship, and I have hope in my heart that those prayers will be answered. I keep their pictures up so that if one day they come visit me they will see their photos are still up.
In addition to prayer I see a therapist. She helps me navigate these challenges in healthy ways so they don’t sabotage my other relationships. I am so thankful to God for the gift of counseling, and we offer this gift here at the church as well.
If you find yourself struggling with a relationship with your parent, or if you are a parent who has a difficult relationship with your child, Congregational Care would love to help. You can meet with a pastor or go to cor.org/counselingreferral to get connected with counseling resources. You can use this Mother’s Day as a day to start changing your relationships and find healing.
Loving Lord, we know that you created us to be in community with each other. However, we are flawed creatures who sometimes have difficulty connecting. We know you have the power to heal and mend relationships. Please bless the relationships between mothers and their children. Help the bonds grow healthy and strong. Where there is hurt provide healing—where there is health and love help provide gratitude and appreciation for such a wonderful blessing. (Ashly Cooley, Counseling & Support Ministries)
Read today's Insight by Ashly CooleyAshly supports the Congregational Care ministry at Resurrection Leawood. She works primarily with our Counseling and Support ministries.
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Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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