A MOTHER'S LOVE

A MOTHER’S LOVE

This past Sunday was a very special day, “Mother’s Day.”  We paused to celebrate mothers everywhere, those who have birthed, mentored and guided with unconventional wisdom and unconditional love.  The following story says it all.

“Can I see my baby?” a happy new mother asked.  When the precious bundle was nestled in her arms, she moved the fold of cloth to look upon his tiny face, and then she gasped.  The doctor turned quickly, looking out the hospital room window.  Her baby had been born without ears.  Time proved that the baby’s hearing was perfect in spite of the apparent defect.  Only his appearance was marred.  When he rushed home from school one day and cried in his mother’s arms, she sighed deeply, knowing his life would be a succession of heartbreaks.

The young boy blurted out his tragedy: “A boy, a big boy, called me a freak.”  He grew up and was quite handsome, despite his misfortune.  A favorite with his fellow students, he might have been class president, but for his appearance.  He developed a gift, a real talent for literature and music.  “You should mingle more with other young people,” his mother reproved him, but felt nothing but love and kindness in her heart.

The boy’s father had a session with the family physician.  Could nothing be done?  “I believe I could graft on a pair of outer ears, if they could be procured,” the doctor decided.  Whereupon the search began for a person who would make such a major sacrifice for a young man.  Two years went by.  Then, “You are going to the hospital, son.  Mother and I have someone who will donate the ears you need.  But it’s a secret” said the father.

The operation was a brilliant success, and a brand new person emerged.  His talents blossomed into genius, and school and college became a series of triumphs.  Later he married and entered the diplomatic service.  “But I must know!” He urged his father.  “Who gave so much for me?  I could never do enough for him.”

“I do not believe you could,” said the father, “but the agreement was that you are not to know...not yet.”  The years kept their profound secret, but the day did come, one of the darkest days that ever pass through a son.  He stood with his father over his mother’s casket.  Slowly, tenderly, the father stretched forth a hand and raised the thick, reddish-brown hair to reveal that the mother had no outer ears.

“Mother said she was glad she never let her hair be cut,” he whispered gently, “and nobody ever thought mother less beautiful, did they?”

Real beauty lies not in the physical appearance, but in the heart.  Real treasure lies not in what that can be seen, but what that cannot be seen.  Real love lies not in what is done and known, but in that which is done but not known.

We may never know the sacrifices our mothers have endured to bring us to where we are.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!