I just returned from our Sunday services in which our associate Pastor Janine is preaching while our pastor is recovering from Surgery.  Today she taught on growing up in the Lord based on scripture reference Ephesians 4:11-17 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelist, and some pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man (mature), to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,  that we should no longer be children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the Head Christ from the whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

The message was in titled “Raised from the past” and spoke to me specifically as I am sure this topic will speak to many of you as well.    The message in short described how we come to Christ burdened down with guilt, pain, bitterness, unforgiveness, addictions, pride, loneliness, fear, insecurities and so on.   Then we come to the cross and accept Jesus Christ as our savior but in many instances we don’t make him Lord over our lives, our circumstances, our finances or the thing that entangles us.   So here we are, saved but still carrying the same load of crap with us, never growing and coming to the full knowledge or fullness of joy that fellowship with Jesus Christ promises to bring us if we let it.

So how do we grow up in the Lord and move beyond our past or circumstances???  Well, we must take off the many mask we wear to hide our stuff from the world and be true and let our fellow brothers and sisters see us (this is one area I struggle in as I wear my mask I often find myself wondering can’t anyone see me who I really am) but how can they when I constantly put one mask after another on.  Then of course the most important things are to spend time in the Word which helps you see yourself how God sees you and not the world.  The Word also helps to break the chains of bondage and builds you up and helps you to draw close to the Lord.  Another extremely important thing is prayer, not your thank you Lord for waking me up general prayers we often find ourselves praying just to get by, but those on your knees, bowed in humility snot slinging prayers spiritually naked before the Lord prayers.

Then we need to get outside of ourselves with our “it’s all about me” attitude and commit to service. Something amazing happens when you serve the Lord through serving others.  Then our pastor said something so simply profound, she said ” when you are taking care of Gods business, he will automatically take care of yours.”  This struck me to be so true because it’s in those times that I’m serving others and working for the Lord that I find myself the happiest with a calmness that is nothing but the peace of God that takes my eyes off of my own circumstances and allows me to move beyond myself; and before I know it God has already worked out that thing that I thought I was such a large mountain, he moved it right on out of the way.

So, if you are dealing with issues of wanting to grow in the Lord or so worried about your own little world, get busy serving  the Lord so He can move that thing right on out of the way before you even know it.

Question, what mask are you wearing to hide your true self from others?   And, how long are you going to run from the Lord?

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It was not until I became a mother myself did I truly understand the love of a mother and more specifically the love that my mother had for me.  I always knew she loved my brothers but I as a young defiant daughter, I didn’t quite understand how deep her love was for me as well.

My mother like many black women who were abandoned by their husband that vowed to love, honor, cherish and forsake all others found herself a single mother of three practically raising us alone without any financial help and or guidance from the male perspective; she over came many obstacles that lay ahead and persevered.

I will never forget when I found out that I was pregnant with my son Gerald; I prayed (not really knowing the Lord at this time) that I would have a boy.  For months I remember praying and asking that the life that grew in my belly would not be a girl.  I was terrified of having a girl because of the drama I sent my mother through starting in junior high.   My prayers were answer and I was blessed with a beautiful baby boy.

Becoming a mother myself gave me a perspective that only a mother could have of exactly what a mother’s love is.  As my son grew so did my trials and tribulations as I too found myself a single mother, my understanding and respect for my mother followed close behind.  Now as I find myself the mother of two, one in his teenage years;  my love, respect and understanding has evolved and my eyes are wide open.

To my mother would sacrificed so much for her children, who never brought men in and out of the home, who made sure that we had summer activities each year, who saved up her money and made sure that we had a family vacation every year, who never said a bad word about our father and let us make our own choice about our dad, who made sure that we had clothes on our backs, food on the table, who continues to be there for every major event in her children’s lives, my mother who I caused so much pain and distress during my teenage and early adulthood years continues to love and support me and her two sons.  To my mother I give you honor!

I love you mommy!

To all the mothers who sacrificed for the sake of their children and kept it all together in the midst, I give you honor.

God bless moms.