Connexion

05/27/2026

If you work in or have ever worked in a business that’s short staffed, you’ll recognize some of what I’m about to relate. Because I did work in an industry where being short staffed and training new people took up, conservatively, 25 of my 30-year career.

The result? Very tight-knit worker core, because we had to be, functioning in high stress mode all the time. We grumbled together, but also at one another. Planning any sort of family activity was subject to last minute, mandatory drafts. Buying tickets for a theme park or concert ahead of time was a surefire waste of money unless you had irrevocable, protected time off (vacation or personal days) which left 50 weeks of the year useless for any getaway more involved than an afternoon nap. When I had more seniority and more protected days off than the newer employees, I filled in for them on holidays if they had kids. Because, when I’d been in their shoes, Christmases and Thanksgivings were times my kiddo knew better than to expect me celebrating at home.

Camaraderie under pressure happens, but even among the core group holding things together tempers flared and gears were ground. Taking sick time became highly suspect. Other workers made it clear they doubted how ‘sick’ you really were, unless you came back to work still suffering from the illness. And then spread it to everyone else, resulting in even more overtime and drafts. It made for a miserable ongoing work environment most of the time, and it was in the field of emergency services. A field where professionalism and maintaining composure even as the world was burning down around us was vital.

We managed. Most of us survived, though there were definite exceptions. But it was never easy. And those rare stretches when we were up to full staffing and not training newbies? Everything flowed smoother. Customer service across the board was greatly improved. Sharing the work strengthened employee relationships.

Overall, it was a situation where only God got us through. Believers in the office prayed about it ongoing. Prayed for strength, for patience, for the ability to train new people well and grow our ranks. Back then and in a secular way, Matthew 9 struck me as very appropriate to that workplace.

35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” - Matthew 9:35-38

In a spiritual way, working shorthanded situations exist for church life as well. Connexion’s growing and it’s reason to celebrate! Our faithful and obedient seed planting is bearing fruit! And now we’re firmly in a season of Matthewland. Specifically, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

In most churches, it’s estimated that about 90 percent of the ministry (food prep, greeters, cleaning, teaching, worship teams, security) is done by one-third of the members. Preventing burnout by expanding that one-third to even one-fourth is good stewardship of a resource too many churches take for granted as being ‘unlimited’: Volunteers’ time. Understanding that it’s not unlimited, and acting to expand the number of workers helping in the harvest, is wisdom.

10 Using a dull ax requires great strength,
so sharpen the blade.
That’s the value of wisdom;
it helps you succeed. - Ecclesiastes 10:10, NLT

Growth means more people to be served. In balance, hopefully it also means more people willing to serve so that workers and volunteers who’ve given time and effort for their church family aren’t spread too thin. Think of the situation like a growing apple tree. But one where only two or three branches produce apples and all the others a singular apple. Or only leaves. The tree grows, it produces fruit, but the weight of those few branches grows so heavy, they break under the strain. Then, if the other branches don’t begin growing apples, the harvests become less. Worst case scenario, the tree withers and dies.

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Spreading the apples across all the branches ensures ongoing healthy growth and plentiful harvests. And volunteers and workers of all kinds can make the difference. Do you like music but can’t sing? Well, people with technical skills are needed in the audio/visual team. Handy in the kitchen? Come make popcorn and coffee! Like kids but not really teacher material? Come rock babies to sleep in the nursery!

Serving’s not about mad skills. It’s about being willing. And knowing that God has already given you gifts as a believer which can grow His kingdom. Being willing is obedience to that truth. And it’s also a great way for God revealing what those gifts include. You may be surprised at how much you love what you never seriously thought you could do!

Pastor Matt mentioned other areas where we need helpers in his Sunday message, “Use Your Uniqueness!”. You can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MFt8ubFJ3I

Please pray about serving at Connexion and with our sister church at ConneXion MtV. Then inquire with any of our pastors and see what areas need more helpers and plug in! Serving is just one more way of making connection with other believers and with those still seeking Christ.

4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:4-5, NLT

Please follow us online! Connexion Mount Vernon IL is here: https://www.facebook.com/connexion07

ConneXion MtV Mountain View MO is here: https://www.facebook.com/ConneXionMTV

05/23/2026

💐☕ Ladies, it’s Tea Party Time! ☕💐
Grab your favorite gal pals and join us Saturday, June 13th from 10 AM–12 PM for a fun little tea party filled with snacks, laughter, and good company! 🫖✨

Bring a snack to share and come hang out with us for a relaxing morning of chatting, sipping, and sweet fellowship! 💕

05/23/2026

During worship time last Sunday at Connexion, Valerie Davis spoke about the Holy Spirit, what It embodies and how It works. A Heavenly Father/Creator part of the Godhead is pretty straightforward. His Son coming to earth in human form to lead Their mortal creations to paradise through His ministry and insights, and Jesus being another third of the Godhead is testament to God’s love for us. The Holy Spirit as the final piece has a more layered purpose.

Jesus’ teachings unite us, but as sinful creatures given to twisting truth into something that’s comfortable or convenient unless we’re very careful, we need common ground beyond doctrine. Beyond legalism. Valerie reminded us that the Holy Spirit levels the playing field of individual outlooks into common ground. She said something we too often forget: That as believers, the Holy Spirit in me is the same Holy Spirit in you.

In this season of Pentecost, that’s a great reminder. We’re not cookie-cutter Christians sitting together in a weekly echo chamber of ‘thou shalts’ and ‘thou shalt nots’ as a retreat from the material world. If we were, it’d be too easy reciting the words, sharing the feels, then going back to the worldly ways doing business as per usual. Instead, we share a fountain of Living Water among us, and we all carry that Living Water to a world dying of thirst. The receptacles and means we use to carry it may vary tons. But it flows in us, around us, and beyond our church walls or church family.

Or, as one Pentecost devotion I read this work points out, The Holy Spirit doesn’t erase our differences. It unites them! And from scripture we see that, as subtle as God can be, the Holy Spirit doesn’t always do quiet.

2 On the day of Pentecost[a] all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages,[b] as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. – Acts 2:1-4, NLT

The Holy Spirit flowing in us nowadays can be just as visible, just as powerful, as flame tongues. When the capital C church becomes community and serves God’s purpose as His discernment sets it forth, those actions are a witness to the lost. When they see so many different generations, mindsets, and heritages of people letting the Living Water floodgates loose and sweep them into service, it speaks to conflicted hearts. It speaks the truth of Jesus Christ beyond doctrine. Likewise, when we identify and utilize our individual Gifts of the Spirit, singularly or in concert, we conduct solos of conviction and orchestral symphonies of outreach.

The Spirit also deals in subtlety. It can unburden and completely restructure human hearts, deep down where the work is ongoing but quiet until the Godly differences galvanize and show themselves. The Spirit strengthens our resolve in times of trial and conflict. It keeps us carrying on in faith, even when hope is hard to find. It gives us discernment and clear focus for challenges we face. It asserts righteousness and helps us remain obedient to God’s planning.

5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life[a] because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters,[b] you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature,[c] you will live. – Romans 8:5-13, NLT

In all ways, Risen Savior, please let the Holy Spirit connect our hearts as It moves through each of our lives. As believers, let us hear the Spirit’s conviction and grant us the courage to act on it daily. Grant us the Spirit’s discernment for knowing how best to let Your Living Water refresh our fields of ministry and flow outward to those who don’t yet believe. May we help quench their thirst for purpose and salvation by sharing your Good News effectively. We ask it in the name of Jesus Christ and for His sake. And we all said, “Amen!”

Please follow us online or come visit us in person if you’re seeking a home church. Find Connexion Mount Vernon IL here: https://www.facebook.com/connexion07

And you can find ConneXion MtV Mountain View MO here: https://www.facebook.com/ConneXionMTV

05/20/2026

Good morning! 🌞🙏💜

05/20/2026

Lots of us have Bucket Lists, and some of the line items are destinations. Maybe Hawaii, maybe Scottland or Australia. Maybe Antarctica! But Pastor Shawn had a real wakeup call in his Sunday message regarding Bucket Lists and destinations, “What Is Heaven Like?” (Go watch it here, you’ll be glad you did: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i30jSieYqOA&t=4s )

Through scriptural references he reminded us that Heaven’s a real place and went over what it’s like. And listening to his message, it occurred to me that the mandatory and very last real place on everyone’s Bucket List is the afterlife. That it has only two real destinations. And given those facts, there’s the very real matter of how we spend every day that we’re gifted with life determining or preparing for one of those destinations or the other.

Shawn did a great job outlining what the Bible says regarding Heaven, how interaction is conducted, the variety of angelic presences, and its dimensions. He also described the One Way to make our reservations. But his message brought a few other elements to my mind regarding an eternal, never-ending existence once earthly life is finished.

First, Heaven’s not ‘life’ as we’ve known it here. It’s better. It’s an infinity of happiness where God and human souls interact as they once did before sin messed up the Garden, our relationship with the Creator, and the reputation of normal serpents as one of nature’s pest control systems against rodents and insects. Where you can really have a Coffee with Jesus session, or the afterlife equivalent. Where angels of all kinds that you encounter never, ever need to say, “Fear not!”. Because, along with a perfect lack of anxiety, hunger, and pain, there is no fear in Heaven.

The boundaries of ‘place’ and ‘people’ blur in Heaven. Part of what makes it Heaven will be the souls we encounter and are reunited with in ways transcending earthly standards. Family long departed from this life will be present. Friends we’ve lost along the years who knew Christ as their Savior will be witness-clouding up the place for us. Enemies who through the Holy Spirit saw Christ, maybe in us or maybe with the guidance of other believers, will be present and no longer enemies. Instead, we’ll be one with all believers in worship and celebration of the Heavenly Father and the Risen One.

In addition, all our stuff will be waiting for us in Heaven. Not the everyday material stuff we cling to and cherish here. The really good stuff. The best stuff.

19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. -Matthew 6:19-21, NLT

The best thing is this doesn’t even take a form like treasure-hoarding. If we are obedient to Jesus’ teachings and intent on growing in spiritual maturity that brings us closer to our Savior, we’ll be acting as His hands and feet. Those actions and that level of kindness is putting us through paces. Acting on Jesus’ instructions which shape us as spiritual works in progress.

Shawn quoted John 14:2-3, where Jesus says that there are many rooms in His Father’s house and He is going to prepare them for us to occupy. The Savior of the World is basically readying our afterlife destination place. Look into your heart. Have you accepted Christ as Savior? Is your afterlife in Heaven? And if so, if Jesus has prepared the location, how are you preparing to occupy it? How much effort are you placing on being ready to go there as opposed to effort spent seeking earthly treasures here?

Is your afterlife’s destination not Heaven? Have you felt the Holy Spirit convicting you, have you heard Jesus knocking at the door of your heart and soul, but have yet to respond? Now is the best time to make travel arrangements for your afterlife destination and be sure it’s an eternal celebration ascendancy, not a blisteringly hot and humid southern climate.

Connexion wants to help you make travel plans to the Heavenly afterlife. Please follow us online at Connexion Mount Vernon IL here: https://www.facebook.com/connexion07

And follow ConneXion MtV Mountain View MO here: https://www.facebook.com/ConneXionMTV
Including Pastor Daniel Marshall’s message for Graduate Sunday, “The Silent Destruction of Distraction”, about turning down distractions as we walk with Christ in a loud world. Watch it here: https://www.facebook.com/ConneXionMTV/videos/1606052607360483

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7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. 10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle,[a] for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

05/19/2026

Salvation is a gift from God.❤️

05/19/2026

Are there any medical people out there who would be interested in a medical mission trip to Guatemala?

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BJBpvutRM/

Are you a doctor or nurse practitioner serving in the medical field? If so, we need you! There is an opportunity this August to travel Guatemala with Tapestry of Love and First Baptist Church of Maryville to serve the people of Magdalena and other surrounding rural communities. We for sure need 2 medical professionals to treat patients in August. Interested individuals can message or contact Pastor Paul Byrd or Kara Mendez for further information. We anticipate God to do great things on this trip and give the team many ways to meet the medical needs of the local people. Please prayerfully consider joining the mission team, pray for people of Guatemala, and share this missions opportunity with people in your circle! We appreciate you!

Let’s go!!!! ✈️ 🗺️ 🌺 🩺 🏥

05/16/2026

6 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer[a] is overcome by some sin, you who are godly[b] should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. – Galatians 6:1-3, NLT

If the scripture above holds any truth at all, many are apparently making fooling yourself into an art form. Or an extreme sport. Either way, I had God prompts this week on why we need a reminder that caring about others, that kindness, is not a form of weakness. In fact, it is a difficult choice requiring great commitment and strength.

The first came when a truck pulled up beside me with a bumper sticker displayed all by itself, so that it was impossible to miss. The driver apparently wanted to let the world know exactly his outlook without any sports team decals or other stickers in the way. The message was this: “!@ #$ YOUR FEELINGS” It's not every day that something so without filter or exception proclaims the fact that anyone else outside self...family, friend, enemy, stranger...is beneath caring or consideration of any kind.

A few hours later, I was watching a drama series and one of the characters, one who’s been taken to task as both a child and again as an adult for caring about others, tells what all the ridicule and pressure from uncaring people has taught him over the years. He said he’d learned that caring and kindness isn’t weak. That they’re the hardest, most intentional choices a person can make. Not for the weak. Not for the easily discouraged. Showing weakness is what mockers and bullies do. The strongest, most resilient people in our lives though? They’re the ones who dare to care.

And in reaction to that show, that scene in particular, I later heard this response from someone I know: “People need to hear that sort of thing more. We’re in such a weird time of indifference. A time of, ‘I don’t even care and I’m going to act nonchalant and unbothered’. Like a contest for who can care the least, while acting like they care the most. Where I feel like the love and the respect, the care and the concern, isn’t there. But people pretend it is.”

If you only listen to the world, it may seem that this is so. But if you read God’s word and if you take anything away from it, you’ll see a Savior who came in human form with human weaknesses. Who chose being kind and caring and put those choices into action. Who acted as servant when His true birthright was Creator of the Universe. Yet who was strong enough to carry all our sins on His shoulders for an appointment with death so that we might have eternal life. Who then rose up after being dead for three days and put Death in its grave.

That’s the level of strength and authority underlying the kind and caring nature of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When we pray for being more like Him and less like us, that’s the kind of strength through kindness and caring we aspire to in concert with the Holy Spirit.

It’s not weak and it’s not impossible because our God is mighty and nothing is impossible when we serve as He served. Lord, we know that your level of caring and kindness requires all our efforts. It’s not easy. But we also know that reaching out as Your hands and carrying Your message of salvation is important. We also know that, even when we falter, You show Your strength through us so that others will see You in our actions. Please show us the paths to take for bringing others Your kindness and caring. In Jesus’ name and for His sake we ask, and they all said, Amen!

At both Connexion Mount Vernon IL https://www.facebook.com/connexion07 ) and ConneXion MtV Mountain View MO https://www.facebook.com/ConneXionMTV, we’ve been working on that kind of strength through kindness and caring. Please follow us online to learn more!

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17 If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—
and he will repay you! – Proverbs 19:17, NLT

15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. – Romas 12:15-18, NLT

05/13/2026

24 This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it. - Psalm 118:24, NLT

Both Connexion Mount Vernon IL and ConneXion MtV Mountain View MO observed Mother’s Day last Sunday. You can see Pastor Matt’s message, “Living a Life of Legacy”, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnrQIbEaTyg

And you’ll find Pastor Richie’s message, “Week 3 of Old Testament Heroes: The Story of Esther”, here: https://www.facebook.com/ConneXionMTV/videos/1145626081958798

Honoring those who raised us, all varieties of mothers and fathers, isn’t confined to just one day of the year, of course. And it’s not just a suggestion. It’s the 5th Commandment. And that word itself, ‘command’, indicates how seriously we’re to take that honoring. Generals don’t issue suggestions; they give commands and expect them to be followed.

Soldiers who take commands well apply their skills to the task, and those who perform their duty with ingenuity and drive earn Good Conduct medals. Christian believers who do the same with God’s Commandments get Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant afterlives (Matthew 25:23).

What about our Christian lives reflecting other tenants not specifically spelled out as commands, though? Following the Ten Commandments will already make us stand out in contrast to the world around us. Applying extra efforts which go beyond those commands adds another layer of peculiarity that will make people who haven’t yet met the Savior curious.

Pastor Matt often says, “Happy Easter!”. That’s because our salvation made possible by Jesus Christ is precious, a reason for ongoing celebration not confined to once a year.

18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. - 1 Peter 1:18-19, NLT

Acknowledging the preciousness of His sacrifice and living in ways that honor it to the best of our abilities every single day takes effort. The humans who are sinful and flawed take a lot for granted salvation included. And we are all those kinds of humans. But intentionally keeping that salvation in mind and working at sharing it with everyone we know…that’s a game changing ingredient for daily life.

What if we applied the same everyday ‘living other holidays all year long’ approach to life? How might ongoing celebratory living impact our spiritual journey in good ways?

After all, we talk about keeping Christmas in our hearts after December 25th. That’s a call for carrying the hope and joy of the holiday season, of Christ’s birth, in the forefront of all we do. When we remember how the Son of Man left Heaven and took human form, took on the role of servant and sacrifice, humility becomes our hallmark and Hallelujah our rallying cry!

10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! – John 15:10-11, NLT

And why stop showing love for others after Valentine’s Day? Smiling at someone may make them wonder what you’re up to. Showing love and kindness to those we know, and those we don’t, may freak them out. But in good ways, the Godly ways that make people’s day, when the Spirit is at work in us. In fact, this is so important that Christ framed it as a new commandment!

34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. – John 13:34, NLT

Gratefulness limited to a Thanksgiving feast? How about showing gratitude for God’s blessings day-to-day instead?

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever. - Psalm 107:1, NLT

18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18, NLT

As a nation we can set aside Independence Day for celebrating freedom. But as Christ-followers, we’ve been freed from the penalty of our sinful natures on a daily basis. We need to act that way!

34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. - John 8:34-36, NLT

So, if we carry all these commandments and outlooks in our hearts every day, that means we Christians should be a free, grateful, loving, joyful, hopeful, and forgiven bunch. It’s a lot to unpack and to accomplish. It takes focus and patience and willingness to grow. Because too often in life, the ‘c’ words we’re best at stand for ‘contrariness’, ‘cynical’, and ‘caustic’ when we should be ‘celebratory’ instead.

There’s a favorite movie I think about when the topic of day-to-day Christian living comes up. In ‘Nobody’s Fool’, Paul Newman plays Sully, a stubborn old reprobate who ekes out a living doing odd jobs after an accident leaves him unable to work construction as he did during a very colorful and misspent youth.

The autumn of his life, however, brings changes, especially after his accident. He helps care for his elderly landlady. He helps a friend whose mother is going through dementia by keeping the ailing lady from wandering off as she tends to do. He partners with a younger man, one with learning disabilities, doing odd jobs and helps keep him employed. He looks in on several friends of his who are also getting older and experiencing health issues. Sully mends his relationship with his estranged son, Peter, and becomes a grandfather to his offspring. He's no angel, but Sully becomes a better man.

But when his wilder side briefly reappears, Sully has to report to jail for a few days awaiting an appearance before the judge. Getting ready for incarceration, Sully gives his son a long list of daily things to do and people to check on while he’s locked away. Peter looks it over, and this exchange follows:

Peter: “It’s not going to be easy being you, is it?”
Sully: “Don’t expect too much of yourself at the beginning. I couldn’t do everything at first, either.”

Most of us are like Sully when it comes to choosing a celebratory daily path as Christians and becoming more like Christ than ourselves. It’s not easy, and the to-do list is long. But God knows, Jesus understands and advocates, and Sully’s good-natured encouragement applies. Don’t expect it to fall in place instantly, just start and work at it. Practice makes better!

Are you looking for a home church? Follow us online and/or come give us a visit!

Connexion Mount Vernon IL is here: https://www.facebook.com/connexion07

ConneXion MtV Mountain View MO is here: https://www.facebook.com/ConneXionMTV

05/09/2026

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day! Celebrating one half of the parenting tag team isn’t just tradition. It’s Biblical.

12 “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. – Exodus 10:12, NLT

And it’s a day for recognizing and remembering those mothers who managed as title match singles as well. Also, those who stepped in as factional Moms, sharing the role of child-raising with diligence and dedication that would make Evolution and NWO envious!

If that sounds like placing Mamas on a lofty pedestal, it absolutely is. Not because they’re perfect, but because they aren’t. Moms are flawed and sinful human beings just like the rest of us. But motherhood often rises above that, granting us a Godly window to what unconditional, sacrificial love and encouragement looks like when framed in mortal life. The nature of motherhood can serve as a human semblance of those same qualities of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Moms, we know all that asks a lot of you and sometimes the job’s overwhelming. But that’s OK; even Mary and Joseph had days when they got it wrong. Days when young Jesus raised an eyebrow and said in His best pre-teen tone: “Seriously?”

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. 43 After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, 44 because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.
45 When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. 46 Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”
49 “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”[a]

Nothing like your kid quelling your fears with a 360-degree eyeroll and the line, “I just spent the night at Dad’s place, what’s the big deal, Mom?”

Years later, as the end of His life loomed nearer, though, we see how much Jesus’ love and appreciation for Mary grew. Because, as with all mothers and kids, the nurturing process involves challenges, mistakes, laughter, and grace. We grow into being better Moms with practice, and our children grow into better adults because of it. Even from His suffering and sacrifice on the cross, Jesus made provision for His mother's care.

25 Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27 And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. - John 19:25-27, NLT

Mother's Day is about thanking Moms for everything they've done, from welcoming us into the world to caring for us when we're ill or when we falter, for showing us a level of selfless love rare in our lifetimes.

There are exceptions, of course. Some of us had mothers who weren’t ready for the role or the responsibility. Or owing to their circumstances, perhaps behaved in ways which left us emotionally damaged. Such things can even become generational, hurt children growing up to become parents who in turn hurt their kids in similar ways. Not everyone feels like celebrating Mother’s Day when such barriers exist.

One way to get beyond such experiences, to break such cycles, is through a strong spiritual relationship with God. Forgiving parents who hurt you as a little one isn’t easy. Fearing that you’ll become just as hurtful to your own family is absolutely understandable. Just know that God forgives, and more. When you allow Him into your heart, He makes forgiveness beyond our limited human variety possible. When you follow His wisdom and guidance through the Holy Spirit in making your parenting decisions, He breaks cycles as surely as He breaks the chains of sin which hold us down until we accept Christ as Lord.

Moms and anyone filling that role for children and young people, have an ever-growing relationship with the Savior and share His commandments, His teachings, with all in your care. Kids young or old, don’t ignore your mother’s instruction, nor your father’s. Forgive them if they fail you in some ways, tell them how appreciated and loved they are. Honor the parents who have provided for us, defended us, and applied their faith in growing us up and granting us a Godly future.

In fact, Mother’s Day is a great day for all these things!

We’d love to have you spend Mother’s Day with us! Please follow us at Connexion Mount Vernon IL here: https://www.facebook.com/connexion07

And ConneXion MtV Mountain View MO here: https://www.facebook.com/ConneXionMTV

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8 My child,[a] listen when your father corrects you.
Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace
and be a chain of honor around your neck. - Proverbs 1:8-9, NLT

4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.[a] 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. - Deuteronomy 6:4-7, NLT