"Te amo"

Before I begin today's podcast, I want to wish all the mother's a very happy Mother’s Day, showered with flowers, candy, cards, balloons, and the treat of a special meal that she does not have to cook herself. Thank you for absolutely everything. . Is there anything greater, more beautiful than a mother’s love, to hear her voice, as she shares words of comfort and tender mercy. Is there a love that exceeds words unspoken, a purposeful glance, a gentle nod, or a well-timed wink, giving the assurance that everything is going to be okay. A mother’s love greets us at birth, as we experience her lasting presence, and continues throughout the peaks and valleys of our lives. Her voice often tender or firm in the moments that require such, the patient attentiveness of her listening ear to sensibly weigh our haste towards ill-advised decisions, and the remarkable warmth of her hug as it covers a multitude of our apprehensions, failures, disappointments, fears, and vulnerabilities. She covers the depth of our sorrows, gives refuge to the brokenness of our hearts, and wipes away the abundance of grief’s tears that we shed in the abyss of our despair. And should we perish before, she will always, no matter the bounty of her love, carry the unbearable burden of loss. Her words are often few, but her voice is known of the Lord, for her effectual prayers long before sunrise, and those late at night, when intuition tells her trouble is on the horizon. She feeds, she clothes, she nurtures, and her vigilance is unequaled as she attentively safeguards the family, watching intently their coming and going as a centurion guards the gates of the city. And in those moments when her strength wains, she can call out to heaven, having a direct line, not one of presumption, or of demand, but reserved in humility and grace, always placing the needs of others before herself. There is none more valiant, brave, courageous, noble, or fearless, there is none more devoted, tender, or loving. Annie Maude Anderson, lovingly referred to as “Gran”, epitomized the life of so many women in the Bible: Ruth, the daughter-in-law of Naomi; Ester, the Queen that saved her people; Sarah, Abraham’s wife who patiently awaited the promise; Hannah being mocked, who cried out to God, until He heard her plea, Elizabeth, the unexpected mother of John the Baptist; and Mary, the mother of Jesus, that while the angels proclaimed the birth of the Messiah, scripture states, But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. (Luke 2:19) Annie did as well.