The Immeasurable Gift of a Mother

By Rev. Dr. Ed Hird

Every May, for the past 29 years, I have written an article about Mother’s Day, usually focusing on my own dear mom. For the first 18 years of my life, I basically took my mother for granted. I loved her, but I had no idea how hard she was working in taking care of us.

I am so grateful that my mom is still with us on planet earth.  Many of my friends don’t have that blessing of being able to pick up the phone and hear their mother’s voice, or go out to the White Spot with her for dinner.  The resilience of my mom when facing many challenges has been remarkable.  My mother, with her very strong faith, has preserved through thick and thin, for better or worse, in sickness and in health.  Mom, you are an example to the rest of your large family. We love you very much.  As I wrote for the May 2003 Deep Cove Crier, “Where would we be without our mothers?  Mothers keep the world on track.  Mothers never stop caring.  Mothers never stop giving.”

Mom, you have modelled so much good for you through your caring for and serving others.  I became a Social Worker because of the anointing that I received from you to stand up for the oppressed and disadvantage.  When I was going through teenage angst, you always deeply listened and stood with me, even though I was oblivious to your deep faith in Christ.  I know that there were time when I was a teenager when you stayed up late waiting for me to come in.  I probably helped deepen your prayer life during those times.

When our three boys were young, Mom, you were so willing to help us out, looking after them so that we could have a night off, or attend a conference.  The thousands of meals that you cooked for us over the years have always been delicious, a sign of your great love and care for your family.  Food indeed is love.

Whenever birthdays came along, Mom, you always invested so much of yourself in getting us just the right present.  Being an artist, you had that great sense of colour co-ordination when you gave us new Christmas sweaters.

You Mom, like your own mother, are a true worshipper.  Your faith has been a great inspiration to me.  Thank you, Mother, for inviting me to supper with Jesus, when I was wandering in the wilderness, lost and hungry.  I am a better person today because of that unfailing love you showed me in season and out of season. 

Your worth as a Mother is beyond measure.  You are loved, appreciated and valued not only by your son, but also by Almighty God.  He loved you enough to give his only son for you.  Words cannot express what you mean to me and to your loving family.  Happy Mother’s Day.

Rev. Dr. Ed Hird, Rector

St. Simon’s Church North Vancouver, Anglican Mission in Canada
-an article for the May 2017 Deep Cove Crier

The Gift of Honour on Mother's Day- HIRD

By Rev. Dr. Ed Hird

Mother Mary is the world’s most famous mother.  Her son Jesus honoured her while being crucified by passing on the care of his mother to the Apostle John.  In one of the seven last words from the cross, Jesus said: “Dear woman, behold your son, and to John: “Here is your mother.”  What an amazing honour and privilege that Jesus was giving John: to look after his mother.  How would you like to have been asked to look after the blessed Mother Mary? 

Jesus, who loved the Bible, rooted his life in the Ten Commandments.  At the heart of the Ten Commandments is the call to honour our mothers.  To honour is to love, to value and to cherish.  Mother’s Day reminds us that we need to honour our mothers 365 days a year, not just for 24 hours in May.  The Good Book tells us that if we honour our mothers, everyone wins.  Honouring our mothers even benefits ourselves by giving us a longer and better life. 

Because Mother Mary was a widow, Jesus was especially concerned about protecting and providing for his mother.  The Good book says that taking care of widows is at the heart of genuine religion.  If we do not honour the widows in our family and community, our religion is nothing but an empty pretense.  It is too easy for widows to be forgotten and discarded particularly when their health is failing and they become shut-ins.  Perhaps Jesus at this moment is reminding you of a widow you know whom you need to give a call.  Mother’s Day is a great time to let widowed mothers know that they are important parts of our community.

When Mary became a mother, she faced rejection and misunderstanding, even from her own fiancé Joseph.  God had to speak to Joseph and tell him that everything was okay.  It is never easy being a mother, especially in our current high-pressure culture.  Children are too easily seen as an inconvenience and a financial burden.  Mother Mary chose to sacrificially welcome her baby son Jesus into the world with her arms of love.  Motherhood is a life of sacrificial love.  Mothers love their children with a depth and passion, similar to how much Jesus loves each of us.  Right before his crucifixion, Jesus stood on the Mount of Olives crying “How often I wished to take you into my arms like a mother hen would her chicks”.  The well-known song by Mark Lowry includes the line: “Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?”  

This Mother’s Day, we can honour the Mother Mary for her courage in giving birth to the saviour of the world.  We can also honour our own mothers who showed the courage to give birth to and raise us to adulthood.  Thank you, Mom.  We love you dearly.  Where would we be without you?

The Rev. Dr. Ed Hird, Rector

St. Simon’s North Vancouver

Anglican Mission in Canada 

-an article for the May 2015 Deep Cove Crier 

-author of Restoring Health: body, mind and spirit and Battle for the Soul of Canada

Post Christmas Contemplation Ruth Smith Meyer

Did you ever hear the story I heard again a few weeks ago, about the man who was nearing death and was finding it hard to think about leaving all the wealth he had accumulated?

He begged God to let him bring at least a part of his assets along to his heavenly mansion. Finally God conceded, telling him he would be allowed one suitcase. One suitcase! He could choose what he wanted to put in it but that would be it. After much deliberation, he determined that he would convert as much of his money into as many gold bars that would fit in the largest suitcase he thought God would allow.

The day of his departure came and he found himself at the gates of the heavenly city, dragging the heavy suitcase with a firm grasp.

“Sorry,” St. Peter said with an outstretched arm. “You are not allowed to bring anything with you.”

“But sir,” our friend asserted, “God gave me special permission to bring one suitcase along.”

“Just a moment,” said St. Peter, “I will check the ledger.”

He leafed through the pages, then looked up in surprise. “You’re right! You ARE allowed one suitcase. You may pass through the gates, but I’m really curious. What did you choose to fill your suitcase? Would you mind showing me?”

Proudly, the suitcase was opened. St Peter looked within and gasped in disbelief. “You were allowed one suitcase of anything you wanted to bring along from earth and you chose to bring a suitcase full of PAVEMENT?”

Soon after I heard that story again, we were reading in our daily devotions about Christ leaving the glories of heaven to come to earth to such humble conditions as a stable. The wonder of the change Jesus experienced filled my mind for several days. A few mornings later we read about the wisemen who brought their gold, frankincense and myrrh. The best and richest gifts they had to the little Christ-child.

Now Jesus came as a very human baby, but suddenly, I wondered if, when Jesus became aware of those gifts, he may have smiled and wondered at a gift of pavement. I was beginning to wonder what I would or could offer to God that wouldn’t make him want to smile at its insignificance.

Then I thought of what I, and probably many mothers, have experienced when our little ones first had the desire to bring flowers to us and came bearing a beautiful bouquet of dandelions in their chubby little hands. I remembered the way my heart filled with loving gratitude for the treasure they presented and the genuine love and adoration in their eyes. An Ah-ha! Moment! I made a connection to God.

I still thrill at the thought that God is pleased with whatever I offer him for the very same reason I was delighted by dandelions. The adoration of my heart and the sincerity of my desire to please him far outweighs the offering itself. Oh to bring him such delight every moment of my days!