Some Mother’s Child

This morning did not go as planned.  We knew it would be a tough one – our daughter (who inherited her dear old Dad’s fear of needles and doctor’s offices) was scheduled to get her impacted wisdom teeth removed at 9:30 a.m.  I was hoping to get into my office by nine o’clock which would leave Kerrie enough time to double back, pick up Maggie from her first period class and get her to her dentist’s office.

But there was a problem.  One of our vehicles had been left unlocked and there was someone sleeping in it.  He had been by the house before – I knew his first name. He had enjoyed our tacos on a Thursday night or two.  I knew this young man’s situation – I had spoken with him before.  He was a young adult on a fast train to nowhere and right or wrong, his parents were giving him a dose of tough love.

So while Kerrie took care of Maggie, my son Cubby and I brought this young man into the house.  I made him coffee while Cubby fixed waffles.  He had a shower.  And I opened up my Bible and read the parable of the Prodigal Son and asked our unexpected guest if he was ready to go back home.  To his heavenly Father and also to his parents.

No one prayed any special prayers.  I didn’t hear angels singing.  But ministry rarely works that way.  Ministry is all about scattering seeds everyplace you can imagine and trusting that God knows what he is doing in causing your life to intersect with the lives of those around you.

There was a time when I might have reacted differently to this situation.  I might have called the cops.  I might have run him off.  I might have ignored him – pretending not to see him.  Often we are like Martha and we are so busy doing “good” things that we fail to take advantage of all of the better tasks God’s providence sets before us.  Years ago I read a poem that changed the way I look at broken people.  Perhaps it will help you to look differently at the people God has set in place around you.  This poem was written by Francis L. Kekler and was included in a short book of poems published in 1872 entitled,  Cheering Words for the Master’s Workers.

Some Mother’s Child

At home or away, in the alley or street,

Whenever I chance in this wide world to meet

A girl that is thoughtless, or a boy that is wild,

My heart echoes softly, “’Tis some mother’s child.”

And when I see those o’er whom long years have rolled,

Whose hearts have grown hardened, whose spirits are cold,

Be it woman all fallen or man all defiled,

A voice whispers sadly, ‘Ah, some mother’s child.”

No matter how far from the right she hath strayed;

No matter what inroads dishonor hath made:

No matter what elements cankered the pearl –

Though tarnished and sullied, she is some mother’s girl.

No matter how wayward his footsteps have been;

No matter how deep he is sunken in sin;

No matter how low is his standard of joy –

Though guilty and loathsome, he is some mother’s boy.

That head hath been pillowed on tenderest breast;

That form hath been wept o’er, those lips have been pressed;

That soul hath been prayed for, in tones sweet and mild;

For her sake deal gently with some mother’s child.”

Immediately under the title of this poem, the author cites in small italics an old translation of the divine truth that inspired this meditation: “And of some have compassion, making a difference.  Jude 22.”  Indeed.  Let’s allow our days to be disrupted by some mothers’ children as often as we have opportunity to show and speak the love of God that is ours in Christ.

Your Pastor,

Bob Bjerkaas

N.B.  Many thanks to my good friend Boyd Davis and his glorious retirement project – Next Chapter Bookstore.  He always sets little volumes like this aside for me and lets me get first look and best prices!  So click that link and send him some business!