He and I have been working a lot together this week on his new trailer (25 years old but new to him). We have painted and cleaned. I have enjoyed working side by side with him. So many times he made me smile. Other times I was nearly bursting, he blessed me so.
Proverbs 31 says that "Her children rise up and bless her."
I am not claiming to be able to attain to the standard of the Proverbs 31 woman.......I haven't even come close. But I am seeing verse 28 a little differently today.
It is a huge blessing to me when my children "RISE UP". Those times when they do what is right. When they have compassion on the needy, or show respect, or act responsibly. Knowing they live in a "me first world" displaying a "you first attitude". Oh, how such things give me joy!
Luke and I were painting his new bedroom, covering pastel posies with plain, clean, fresh paint. We were short a roller so he ran to Home Depot to buy one.
On his way back he saw a homeless man holding a sign on the corner begging. His expression was screaming, "I'm hungry, feed me!" his head hanging as if he was disgraced to look in the eyes of his readers.
Luke hurried home to bring me the much needed tool and began to work. He told me about the man as his roller began to transform the walls. He had wanted to stop and give the man some food, but he knew I was in a hurry, so he came back to help me.
The image of the man continued to haunt him until he could no longer stand it.
"I am going to Wendy's to buy that man some food. I will be right back!"
And he was off on a mission to help one helpless soul by providing him a meal.
I was hoping the man would be grateful.
I wanted him to be satisfied with the food and blessed by a young man's thoughtfulness.
I wasn't with Luke when he put the food in the hungry man's hands, but the Lord was. The Lord saw Luke "rise up". He saw him have compassion on someone that desperately needed it. He saw it all and He will remember and never forget.
Isn't it amazing that the Lord can be so forgetful of our past sins (Psalm 103:3, 9-12) but acts of kindness are recorded and He chooses to remember them forever (Matthew 25:31-40)!
This is not the first and only time I have seen Luke extend his heart toward another. No, there are more times than one little post can hold. But I must say that this was one of those times when Luke bent down to help someone else and when he bent down he was actually "rising up" to a standard that this Proverbs 31 want-a-be mother couldn't help but be blessed by. (Whew that was a long sentence, but I kinda like it so I am going to leave it).
I know what you might be thinking. Some versions say "Rise up and call her blessed"......Yes, they probably do. What if on examination we look at this verse from another angle (or version) and say when our children "rise up" it brings a blessing upon us, because it does......It really, really does.
We are heading back to Luke's today. We will do more work beside him and learn from him.
He is a very special young man. I can say that because I know that he has spent a lot of time with the only One who can make us good. I am so grateful to both of them. To the Lord for the way He is working in Luke's life, and to Luke who has chosen to be a man of God, continually "rising up" and blessing his God and his momma.
Have an awesome weekend!
Blessings to you, friends!
Cheri
5 comments:
What a blessing, Cheri, to see your son blossoming into a godly young man. This is my prayer for my boys. I learn from you--how to be a gracious mother and friend--each time I visit.
hugs,
laura
What a precious post, Cheri. And it only exemplifies that you are a wonderful mother and woman. I think it might be splitting hairs as ...if children rise up and bless her then that means she is blessed. so rise up and bless her in a sense can be rise up and call her blessed. You are blessed because your son has blessed you, he's been a blessing. Maybe my brain is dead and I'm not seeing it the way others are. You are a blessed woman and I call you blessed. Oh, it also may differ in whether the word is read as blessed or bless-ed. I've always disliked that we can not distinguish between the two with a different spelling. Just as I want a person to read my word as blessed, it is read as bless-ed and vice versa. Splitting hairs again, I am.
I think it's wonderful that you son was so concerned with both of you that he was torn. 1) he wanted to get back in a hurry to please you and accomodate your schedule. 2) he wanted to feed the hungry man.
Love ya. Miss ya.
Paula
Love it, Cheri....Once again, I am inspired. Can't wait to see you next week.
Love you,
Kandace
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John 1:4
Nothing blesses my heart more than seeing my son walk in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.
You have a precious son, but he also has a precious Mother. I'm sure he has seen such giving and love modeled before him in your life, as he's watched Jesus in you.
Yesterday my son tidied the house and baked me a cake for a surprise, as again, I spent my day at the hospital with my Dad. His thoughtfulness was lavished on me, but it was so appreciated.
You are blessed Cheri. Praying you'll share another wonderful day with Luke.
Love ya,
Joy
What a blessing to read about your son! Indeed, he is a rare treasure. I,too,know from experience what joy it brings to a Mama's heart when her children not only have God in their hearts but then reach out to others in need.
Your son Luke reminds me (in his actions) our our youngest son David. I constantly stand in amazement when I am around him. It is just so evident in his life that he "walks with God". I pray that my walk with the Lord should be so evident to those around me also.
God bless you!
Marilyn
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