Today’s Devotion
Topic: The Untold Stories of Motherhood
Text: 2Kings 4:36, 37
Then Elisha summoned Gehazi. “Call the child’s mother!” he said. And when she came in, Elisha said, “Here, take your son!” She fell at his feet and bowed before him, overwhelmed with gratitude. Then she took her son in her arms and carried him downstairs. Amen
Many times, we celebrate people for the things we are well aware that they did for us. Hardly do we celebrate people for things they did for us which we were not aware of. As we celebrate all mothers today, the passage above will help us appreciate the untold stories of motherhood.
A wealthy Shunemmite woman had convinced her husband to show hospitality to Elisha the prophet. When he asked her what she wanted in return, she said “nothing”. Having consulted Gehazi his servant, Elisha prophesied that she would have a son by the same time the following year. And sure enough, she did.
This son, however, died abruptly after a short illness. And his mother went all lengths to see him brought back to life. A critical look at the story brings the following to light;
1) She was wealthy and had need for nothing. But deep within, she longed for an offspring of her own on whom she could shower love and care.
2) Aside from going through the pains of child birth, she had perfected the act of nurturing this child so much so that when he fell sick in the field working with his father, the father asked a servant to send the boy home to his mother.
3) When the boy eventually died, the mother kept saying “All is well” to those who questioned her actions until she got to the prophet Elisha. She refused to be negative at any point in time in relation to her boy’s wellbeing. Moreover, she insisted on the prophet himself going with her to see the child.
4) She showed gratitude for the boy’s life when he was restored to her.
Beloved, do you see traits of the above in the ‘mothers’ you celebrate today? How many of these have you overlooked in times past? How many other subtle traits can you think about which they exhibited without your knowledge? On this special day, we encourage you to take time to appreciate them for both the known and unknown factors.
Pray for all mothers around the world, using your own mum as a point of contact. Ask for strength, provision, wisdom, grace, good health and above all peace of mind. There will be no ‘us’ without them.
To all mothers; please do not become weary in doing good, especially when it is not noticed. For at the right time God, who sees what is done even in secret, will reward you in the open. A Happy Mothers’ Day to you and see you all at church today.
