"....(He will) gently lead those who are with young." Isaiah 40:11b

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

When Mommy Became Mom

Mom-tattoo I was recently in a crowded place with lots of children present. I heard someone yell, "Mommy!"...and I did what every mom does. I turned around and looked for my child. But then I realized that I only had one boy left that calls me "Mommy"....and he wasn't there.

I don't know about you, but when I hear "Mommy", it feels like my kids are completely dependent and utterly in love with me. My youngest ones still occasionally call me "Mommy" when they are being silly or using baby talk.

"Mom" has a ring of, "I need something from you right now, but I'm not going to need you in five minutes" to it. It says independence, but enjoys the convenience of being dependent when necessary. Unfortunately, I fear I have become "Mom."

"Mother," however, in my book of relaxed family relationships, feels cold and formal - like there is no relationship. I pray my kids never call me "Mother."

It is the same in the way we address the Lord. Have you noticed a difference in the way a person who doesn't know the Lord addresses Him, compared to the one who loves Him deeply? God has many names. To the one who is struggling to pay their bills, He is the Provider. To the one who has been diagnosed with an incurable disease, He is the Healer. To the one who knows Him well, He is "Abba (Daddy) Father." To the one who doesn't really know Him at all, He may be "the man upstairs."

How do you address the Lord? Who is He to you? Are you able to pour your heart out to Him, or do you hold Him at a distance? Do you recognize His power, love, and authority? or is He just an elusive figure in the sky?

Micah 5

4 He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.

5 And he will be their peace.

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