I Believe...............

"That money is a lousy way of keeping score."

I did not plan this as my Mother's Day post, but am thankful the Lord always has a plan and it is always on time!

Momma used to say "It's not what you have that makes you a success, it's what you give away"....wow, was Momma ever right!  (Have you noticed they usually are?!)

We try to find our worth in so many different ways and things, when the truth is that our worth is inherent on the fact that God created us and loved us so much that He gave His only Son to bring us back into relationship with Him.  Nothing I own can make me worthy of Jesus' blood sacrifice, but what I give away has much to do with my worthiness.

Now, you may find that an odd statement and may even balk at it.  Just be patient and consider what I have to say.  When I came to Jesus, broken and hopelessly separated from God, the first thing I had to do to establish my relationship with Him was give up my pride.  I had to admit that I needed Him.  He most certainly did not need me, but He wanted me.  My relationship with Him only became real when I exchanged my pride for His grace.

Then, after giving up my willful pride, I had to give up the desires and dreams I held for myself in exchange for His desires and plans for me.  That's not easy.  Quite frankly, it has taken me my entire Christian life to begin to understand just how difficult that is.  However, difficult as it may be, it is so worth the sacrifice!  The joy I have gained for the plans I have sacrificed is immeasurable.  The peace I have when I know I have fully submitted my will to His is indescribable.

Daily I am learning that true happiness only comes when I can 'give away' a part of myself.  Sometimes, that means giving up something for the Lord; at others it means giving up something for other people.  I think perhaps Godly Mothers know more about that than anyone else. 

My own Momma gave of herself hourly to Daddy, to her children, to her extended family members, to neighbors, to people she didn't know simply because she understood the 'give away' principle.  I can honestly say I have known few people who possess the ability to give as freely as did Momma.

I believe Jesus made this point clear when speaking to the religious leaders of His own day......

When he finished that talk, a Pharisee asked him to dinner.

He entered his house and sat right down at the table.

The Pharisee was shocked and somewhat offended

when he saw that Jesus didn't wash up before the meal.

But the Master said to him,

"I know you Pharisees burnish the surface

of your cups and plates so they sparkle in the sun,

but I also know your insides are maggoty

with greed and secret evil. Stupid Pharisees!

Didn't the One who made the outside also make the inside?

Turn both your pockets and your hearts inside out

and give generously to the poor;

then your lives will be clean,

not just your dishes and your hands.

"I've had it with you! You're hopeless, you Pharisees! Frauds!

You keep meticulous account books,

tithing on every nickel and dime you get,

but manage to find loopholes for getting around

basic matters of justice and God's love.

Careful bookkeeping is commendable,

but the basics are required.

Luke 11: 40-42 (The Message)

So, I think Momma was right........it's not about what we have, but what we give away.  Thank you, Momma for teaching me to give of myself without expecting anything in return.  You may have never had great possessions here below, but your crowns were many when you met Jesus face-to-face.  It is my prayer to walk in your footsteps as I make my journey home.