Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
- I Cor. 13:4-7
A woman had two boys. They were most problematic. Almost every week, she was at the court house with a lawyer seeking to get them released from police custody. They were career criminals. Yet she continued to support and defend them.
This mother was blinded to the fact that her boys were a menace to society. She saw good which only she could see and no one else could fathom. Her love for these boys caused her to see only good when she should be seeing the evil they do.
When I observe mothers and see what they endure for their children, I can only conclude that mothers are a blessing from God. They love when there is really no reason to love. During my lifetime, I have witnessed mothers loving the most heinous criminals.
During the past months and weeks we have all seen and heard many mothers cry over their children who have been cut down in the prime of their lives. We have heard these mothers talk about their dear sons who they only knew as obedient, kind and loving.
Many of us in the community have stood on the sideline and belittled, ridiculed and scorned these mothers who dare to love the unlovable. To us these loving sons were pariahs. During their lifetime, they terrorized our neighborhoods, instilled fear and caused us pain.
I have had my turn in criticizing such mothers for lamenting the loss of these sons. In my eyes, I saw them as a menace to society. Then I searched deep within myself and had a change of heart. I do sympathize with these mothers. Someone wrote, "But, there's really nothing more painful than losing a child." Therefore, I will not judge because I have never lost a child in death.
Mothers have a way of seeing the best in their children. Even though they might have contributed somewhat towards their children's deviant behavior, they still love them. This is something innate of mothers. They love when everyone chooses to hate.
God loves like this. He is forgiving and compassionate. Even when we are quick to condemn and write off an individual who has wronged us, God in his infinite love, still loves and forgives. Even though we are rebellious, his loving arms are always open and ready to receive us.
He never writes off anyone. God does not condemn us. He wants to see all of us come to saving grace. That is why he sent his one and only son into the world to redeem us. Scripture tells us in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Therefore, when you see a mother on television crying over the loss of a son, even though that boy might have been feared as one fears piranhas, don't wrong her. She bore that child and will always love him.
Think about your children if you have any. Then think about God's love for us. In the sight of God, "... All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23). Maybe you should share a tear with her.
This Sunday as we celebrate Mother's Day, if you have a mother or a person who has been like a mother to you, spend some quality time with her. Then, say thanks to a loving God who gave us loving mothers, particularly those who have guided us in the way of the Lord. Mothers are God's angels in our lives. Amen.
o Rev. Samuel M. Boodle, pastor at The Lutheran Church of Nassau, can be reached at P.O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas or telephone: 323-4107; E-mail: lutheranchurch@coralwave.com, Website: www.Nassaulutheranchurch.org.

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