THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

May 7, 2025

LIFE IN THE FOLD

On Mother's Day, many will write sweet posts on social media about their mom being the very best.... some even say that their mom is the best in the whole world. It's wonderful that people think that their mom is number one.

I find it extremely sad that there are kids who don't feel that way and don't have a good relationship with their mother. They are missing out on an incredible blessing in life; often through no fault of their own.

There were some pretty incredible mother's in the Bible!

Moses: His mom was ordered to kill her baby upon birth, due to the child being a boy. She decided to hide the baby along the river among the reeds. The princess of Egypt found him and decided to make the baby her son. Moses' sister ask if the princess needed a nursemaid to care for the child until he was weaned; that she knew of someone who could care for him until that time. Moses' mother was able to care for her baby boy, until he was weaned. I have heard that at that time, it was common for children to be 4-5 years old before they were completely weaned from their mother. I'm sure during those years, Moses' mom prayed over him, taught him about God, and did everything possible to instill within her son knowledge about their Jewish heritage. The result was that years later, God called Moses to be the one to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery. Moses became a great leader of the Hebrew people and had amazing encounters with God.

Samuel: Samuel's mother had longed for a child for years, but was barren. One year, when she and her husband were in Shiloh to worship and offer a sacrifice to the Lord, the priest saw Hannah crying. When he found out why she was weeping and praying, he told her that God would grant her request. By the next year when it came time to go to Shiloh to offer sacrifices, Hannah did not go. She told her husband, "Wait until the boy is weaned. Then I will take him to the Tabernacle and leave him the Lord permanently." She did as she said and gave her son to the Lord, saying that Samuel would belong to the Lord his whole life. What a sacrifice! Each year when she and her husband went to offer sacrifices, she would make a coat especially for her son and take it to him. Once again, the result was awesome! Samuel ended up being one of the great prophets of the Lord.

Jesus: Mary had to have been an exceptional woman to be chosen to birth the Messiah. But I think what truly showed the love between mother and Son was when Jesus was hanging on the cross. He had to have been in agony at that time, after enduring the beatings and then hanging on a cross. But Jesus looked down and saw his mother standing at the foot of the cross beside the disciple, John. Jesus wanted to make sure that she would be cared for. He told her, "Dear woman, here is your son." Then he looked at John and said, "Here is your mother." From then on, John took Mary into his home.

What stands out to me in these three stories is that each of those mothers had to sacrifice something regarding her son. And even today, many times, sacrifice is involved for moms. It may be doing something in order to assure that their child will have a better life, something to ensure their safety or future, or maybe watching her child suffer -- and even die.

Sometimes that sacrifice may be putting on hold something that they desire to do regarding a ministry or career, but raising and caring for their children is priority during their growing-up years. It may be losing sleep to care for a sick child or to pray for them or to help them when they are in trouble. It may be something as simple as giving that child the last cookie, when mama really wants to eat it herself.

This year on Mother's Day, I encourage you to celebrate your mom, if she is still here on earth with you. If your relationship is strained or there is unforgiveness, go talk things out and make things right. Let your mom know that you love her.

If you are a mom yourself, let your kids celebrate you. Don't say, "Oh, you don't really have to do anything for me," and rob them of the blessing of showing their love and appreciation. Love on your children and celebrate motherhood! See it for the blessing that it is.

If you are like me and your mom is already in heaven and you have no children, remember the happy memories that you had with your mama. I only had my mama with me for 15 years and she's been gone for 44 years, but I still remember her love and kindness and how special she always made me feel. Not only do I remember her, but I look forward to the day when we will be reunited for all eternity. Think of the children that you have invested in over the years, whether it be nieces and nephews or through teaching or neighborhood children or kids from your church. Give thanks for the lives that you've had the honor to love and give a little of yourself to.

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

Loretta has a niece and a nephew who (or whose spouse) commonly give her a gift or card on Mother's Day. She isn't their mother, or mother to their kids. But Loretta has helped in that role. It isn't usually anything big, but it means a lot to Loretta.

So, if you have someone who helps you or your children as a good mother would, please let them know how much they are appreciated this Mother's Day.

ON THE MENEWE:

Lemon Bundt Cake

Heat oven to 350. Coat a 12-cup bundt pan or 10-inch fluted tube pan with no-stick cooking spray. Dust with flour.

Beat cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream (regular/full fat works best), oil, eggs, water, lemon zest and lemon extract in large bowl with electric mixer on low until well combined. Spoon into prepared bundt pan.

Bake 50-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cook in pan 15 minutes. Remove from pan to wire rack to cool completely.

Frosting:

Beat cream cheese, softened butter and lemon extract in a bowl until light and fluffy. Mix until well combined. Add in powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Add in 1 Tablespoon milk and 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, and mix until very well combined. If you desire a thinner frosting, add 1-2 additional Tablespoons of lemon juice, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Once desired consistency is reached, fold in the zest of one lemon.

Once cake has cooled completely, apply frosting to cake. As this is a bundt cake, it does not have to be perfectly frosted. Garnish with remaining lemon zest.

Store in refrigerator.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

I have four older sisters, no brothers. One time when my sisters and I were together we were talking about our mama. We all felt like we were her favorite! I know that she had no favorites, but she had a way of making each of us to individually feel cherished and special and as if we were her very favorite. That's a true gift for a mama to be able to give her children!

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

As a mother, my job is to take care of the possible and trust God with the impossible.

- Ruth Bell Graham

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org