A Mother's Love

A Mother's Love
by Kathie Costos
Wounded Times Blog
May 12, 2013

When Jesus was born, Mary knew that her son would not outlive her. His life was planned the second His soul left Heaven and entered into the body of her blood.

Isaiah 7 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. 15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.

It was not a secret to Mary that Her son would sacrifice His life for the sake of others.

When Jesus was forty days old, Mary and Joseph took Him to the Temple in Jerusalem. They were not wealthy, so they took two turtle doves with them to offer as a sacrifice at the Temple. As they arrived at the Temple, Mary and Joseph were met by a very old man named Simeon. He was a holy man and was noted as a very intelligent scholar. Simeon spent much time studying about the prophets of Israel. It was during his studies that he learned of the coming of the Messiah. The Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah to come and deliver Israel from their conquerors. From that time on, Simeon spent his time praying for the Messiah to come. He spent many years in prayer. Finally, while Simeon was praying he heard the voice of God. God promised Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah.

Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God.

When Simeon saw Jesus, he took the baby in his arms and blessed the Lord and said: "Lord, now let Your servant go in peace according to Your promise, because my eyes have seen Your salvation which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory to your people Israel."

There are some born always knowing exactly what they were born to do. Many Moms have heard the words from their children "I never wanted to do anything else." yet while it may break the hearts of their Moms, they understand even though they know it may cause their hearts to break.

Mary knew how her Son would die and the dash between the date He was born and the date He would die would changed the world.

It is that line between birth and death that matters so much more than the number of days we are all here. It is doing what was were intended to do that matters and if we follow that heart-tugging where it leads us, we find our bliss. Everything we need to do it is within us and if others listen to the still voice within them, they will help us do what we have been born to do.

Christ said "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) And He went on to say,

14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

When we raise our children to become who they were intended to be, it comes with a mix of pride and heartache. Sometimes it means they must move away from us to do it. Sometimes it means they will put their lives in danger.

When their heart is tugged to serve others in the military, Moms know the risk will be great but it is important they do what few others have done.

American veterans are only 7% of the population and less than 1% serve in the military today. Many military women are in fact Moms leaving their children while they are deployed risking their lives for the thing they were born to do. Many more Moms have sent their children off for deployments and pray while they are gone. Some had to bury their children because of them following their hearts to serve. Some will spend Mother's Day at the grave of their child grieving because they blame themselves for the suicide death. Others face trying to help their children heal from wounds of their bodies and of their minds.

The men and women in the military and veterans of past wars had Moms making up a huge part of the dashes in their lives but more, they had a huge part in the dashes between the date this nation began and every year that comes after this. A Mother's love reaches so many more than just the child she gave birth to if they follow where their hearts lead them. It can also change many other lives because of what they do for other families.