Tnl-News.com - Ministerial Meditation

Lessons About Life

Some of the greatest lessons about life, I learned at the breakfast table with my mother. I cannot begin to count the number of times she put a Band-Aid on my knee or took me to the doctor when I was sick or just was there by my bedside. I learned about life through my mother. She would talk to me about her life struggles. It was at that table I learned about her heartbreak in losing three other babies. I also learned of her heartbreak in losing my dad in a drowning accident. She told me how she tried to explain it to me when I was only three years old. And I too shared with her. I told her of my struggles with my girlfriends, my peers, and struggles in my faith. She taught me to rely on God for all things. "In your darkest hour He will be there - even when you don't feel His presence," she said. He did it for her and He would be there also for me. She was right. She was usually always right.

When Mom died, it was one of my darkest hours. But she taught me to rely on God, and so I did. And yes, He helped me through the pain. I still hurt and mourn even though it will be 33 years since her departure from this earth. My mother gave me something that could live on even after her death. She shared Jesus with me.

That breakfast table now belongs to my daughter. She too thinks it is special because her step-grandpa used to talk to her at the same table. It is there we learned to cherish our moments and thank God for His presence.

Deuteronomy 11:18, 19 (NIV) Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Thank you, Mom.

Mark Black, minister of music/worship

First Christian Church of Malvern