For Mother’s Day I intended on posting a homily I gave a few years back. Instead, I spent the day flat on my back trying to get some relief from sciatic pain. As I’ve nursed myself back — holistically and through exercises — I’m finally at the point where I can sit long enough to do some work. But I figured the Mother’s Day post could wait until next year.

This morning, however, another inspiration from nature got me to thinking. And a couple of other events connected the dots. Here’s what happened…

As I was flying up the state highway [okay, not flying … maybe around 60ish] I noticed a bird in the middle of my driving lane. Now, that’s not all that unusual. There are always birds in the road, although most are scavengers. And they always get out of the way in plenty of time.

This little bird, however, did not. As I got closer and closer it just stayed in the road. I couldn’t have been more than two or three car lengths away [at 60ish] before it made its move. I was certain this bird would somehow end up a casualty.

As I got to the point where the bird was standing, I spotted a baby bird in the road. And when I didn’t hear any “thunk”, I checked my rear view mirror and discovered the sentry bird was not only alive and well … but flying back to its perch in the roadway.

I’m assuming it was a mama bird, standing watch over one of her babies.

It reminded me of Karen and my daughters and daughters-in-law. They could be hurt or angry with the shenanigans of their offspring, they could be yelling or screaming at them, but if one of their babies was in trouble, they were there.

I can’t speak for all mothers, of course, but at least in my experience, that’s a mother’s love … unconditional, forgiving, loving.

That’s where other events come into play.

In yesterday’s Wednesday writing segment [https://wisdomfromafather.com/2013/05/15/wednesday-writing-xxiii/] I wrapped up our community story with a devotional from Titus 2:3-5 … tell the older women … to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited…

What do I read in my morning devotion?

Ron Hutchraft’s Word With You was about “The ‘I Love You’ At the Finish Line.” [http://www.hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-relationships/the-i-love-you-at-the-finish-line-6874?utm_campaign=be0a676b29-AWWY+6874&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Ron+Hutchcraft+Ministries%2C+Inc.&utm_term=0_0029706fc2-be0a676b29-285838458]. The devotional was about “wife-ing” actually, instructions to the older women in the church as to what they should, from their well of experience, train the younger women to be like.

Hmm. Coincidence?

I don’t think so.

Paul’s letter to Titus refers to the proverbial Proverbs 31 woman … who serves God with all of her heart, mind and soul … respects her husband … teaches her children the ways of her Father in heaven … cares for her body … serves her husband, her family, her friends and her neighbors with a gentle and loving spirit … seeks her husband’s approval before making purchases and spends money wisely … works willingly with her hands … is a homemaker … uses her time wisely … and is a woman of worth and beauty with the inner beauty that only comes from Christ.

There are those who think those are subservient traits. I don’t. The Proverbs 31 woman has confidence beyond comprehension. She has her priorities in line — God, family, others, self [note the order, men]. She is organized and a multi-tasker. As we say today, she feels good in her own skin. She seeks God’s will for her life and follows His ways. She is trustworthy and a helpmate to her husband. She nurtures her children with the love of Christ, disciplines them with care and wisdom and trains them in the way they should go. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her. She uses her creativity and sense of style to create beauty in her life and the lives of her loved ones.

Karen was a Proverbs 31 woman — long before the phrase became a Christian catchphrase. And she was the epitome of what Paul was talking about in his letter to Titus … teaching the next generation of women in her life.

I see my daughters and daughters-in-law hanging on to those words of wisdom as they teach their generation. I often hear them saying, “Mom would have …” or “I wish I could ask Mom …”

Way to go Casey!

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: If you don’t have time to do it right, you may have to find time to do it over.