Stay connected
Daughter Terri says: “Mom, I’m 45, but I still remember the little prayer that you used to pray for me every day:” “God help you if you ever do that again!” Sunday was a day to reconnect with our moms either in person or in memory and celebrate that they loved us in spite of ourselves.
A mother wrote to the president of the University of Florida and asked him to make certain that her son would be given a roommate who went to church regularly, did not smoke, curse, tell smutty stories, drink, carouse and had good study habits. She closed her letter saying: “This is the first time my son has been away from home except for the time he spent in the Marines.”
This mother may have been a bit naive, but we’re never too old for our mothers to worry about us. And like a good mother, Jesus worried about the nematodes of weakness that would destroy the faith of His disciples after His death. Therefore He said to them: “Abide in me and I will abide in you, because apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5). In other words, we are all tomato plants. As tomato plants we need to be tied to a stake for support or we will fall over and die. If we wish to stand tall and victorious then we need to be tied to Jesus.
Jesus says: “Keep connected because apart from me you can do nothing.” You might go through life as handicapped as a trumpet player with loose teeth get connected to Jesus and blow melodies of victory. You might say: “I’m nobody’s fool” and your friends say: “Don’t worry, we’ll find someone to adopt you” get connected to Jesus and be triumphant.
Every day of the year we should give thanks for those mothers who gave us life by being our cheerleaders and our encouragers. In like manner, every day of the year we should praise Jesus who like a good mom has the kind of loyalty that despite our sins remains faithful and continues to look out for our welfare. Jesus is the one who offers us “living water” when we are feeling dried out and lifeless (Jn. 4:10). Jesus says: “I am your strength. I am your sustenance. Abide in me and I will abide in you for apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5).
Roger Lemke is Pastor Fisher’s of Men Lutheran Church, at 10360 Stringfellow Road. Sunday worship is at 9 a.m. with Bible Study Tuesday at 10 a.m. Call 239-283-1170.