I recently read a story about three brothers who were each very successful in their respective careers...
It seem that (these) three brothers were discussing the gifts they gave their elderly mother on Mother's day. The first one said, "I just built a nice big house for our mother." The second then said, "Well, I sent her a fancy new Mercedes."
The third said, "I've got you both beat. You know how Mom enjoys the Bible, and you know she can't see very well. So, I sent her a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took twenty monks in a monastery over twelve years to teach him.
I had to pledge to contribute $100,000.00 a year for ten years to the monastery, but it was worth it. Now, Mom just has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot will recite it."
Soon thereafter, Mom mailed a letter of thanks to each son. She wrote the first son, "Michael, the house you built is too large. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house." She wrote the second son, "Marvin, I'm nearly blind so I can't drive. I stay home all the time, so I never use the Mercedes."
"Dearest Melvin," she wrote to her third son, "You were the only son to have the good sense to know what your mother likes. Thank you so much! That chicken was absolutely delicious!"*
This week, as Mother's Day approaches, most everyone will be focusing on their mom. Some will do so through fond memories; others will do so by making big plans for the weekend. Among the latter, many, like me, will find some nice gift to share with her. And I am sure these things will be appreciated by moms everywhere.
At the same time, I do believe that some gifts are more valuable than others. And I am not talking about houses, cars, or exotic pets. Rather, I am referring to the gifts of time, of attention, and of simple communication. The older I get, the more I see the value of such intangibles.
Being a Pastor, and having been called to serve a state away from my home, I find myself at times a little envious of those who can simply drop in on their mother and/or father any time they desire. If you have this privilege, do not take it lightly.
And whatever you have planned for Mother's Day, whatever you have prepared for your mom, whatever you my have acquired for her, make certain to include among these things a little time with her. Often, from her perspective, your being there may just be the single best present of all.
*SOURCE: http://www.kentcrockett.com/cgi-bin/illustratio
ns/index.cgi?topic=Mothers
It seem that (these) three brothers were discussing the gifts they gave their elderly mother on Mother's day. The first one said, "I just built a nice big house for our mother." The second then said, "Well, I sent her a fancy new Mercedes."
The third said, "I've got you both beat. You know how Mom enjoys the Bible, and you know she can't see very well. So, I sent her a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took twenty monks in a monastery over twelve years to teach him.
I had to pledge to contribute $100,000.00 a year for ten years to the monastery, but it was worth it. Now, Mom just has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot will recite it."
Soon thereafter, Mom mailed a letter of thanks to each son. She wrote the first son, "Michael, the house you built is too large. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house." She wrote the second son, "Marvin, I'm nearly blind so I can't drive. I stay home all the time, so I never use the Mercedes."
"Dearest Melvin," she wrote to her third son, "You were the only son to have the good sense to know what your mother likes. Thank you so much! That chicken was absolutely delicious!"*
This week, as Mother's Day approaches, most everyone will be focusing on their mom. Some will do so through fond memories; others will do so by making big plans for the weekend. Among the latter, many, like me, will find some nice gift to share with her. And I am sure these things will be appreciated by moms everywhere.
At the same time, I do believe that some gifts are more valuable than others. And I am not talking about houses, cars, or exotic pets. Rather, I am referring to the gifts of time, of attention, and of simple communication. The older I get, the more I see the value of such intangibles.
Being a Pastor, and having been called to serve a state away from my home, I find myself at times a little envious of those who can simply drop in on their mother and/or father any time they desire. If you have this privilege, do not take it lightly.
And whatever you have planned for Mother's Day, whatever you have prepared for your mom, whatever you my have acquired for her, make certain to include among these things a little time with her. Often, from her perspective, your being there may just be the single best present of all.
*SOURCE: http://www.kentcrockett.com/cgi-bin/illustratio
ns/index.cgi?topic=Mothers