Proverbs 31:10, 27-28 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

It is Mother’s Day and time to sing the praises of our moms. Mine has passed away, so I sing the praises of my spiritual mother, Betty Williams.

I called my sister to keep her informed on the events of my life. She told me to call Betty. Betty had been asking after me. So I called.

“Hi, mom!”

“You’re going to have to be a little more specific than that!” was her reply.

It was no surprise. She only has one natural born son, and he lives next door. I on the other hand am just one of hundreds that call Betty mom. Such is the heart of this woman of God that so many call her mom.

Her oldest daughter was in my class in school and invited me into their lives. I was not raised in a Christian household and I immediately noted the difference. I spent as much time as I was allowed with the Williams. I wanted to be a part of that family, and thanks to Don and Betty I am.

You cannot mention Betty without mentioning Don. This woman was the mother and the perfect wife. A good wife is a compliment to her husband.

As we talked on the phone two thousand miles apart, I was home again, in her warm embrace. She is 91 and I am 71 but I felt like that kid again. I longed to be in her presence but the phone call would have to do for the moment. She was thinking of me and that was so special and so like her.

With all those hundreds that call her mom, she reached out for me. That is my mother’s love.

Happy Mother’s Day mom. 

Luke 15:4-5 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

If you have attended Sunday school, you have heard this passage taught. If you have not, allow me to expound on some important issues. This story of the Good Shepard is about all of us.

Do not think that this telling is about Christians that might have gone astray. The Good Shepard is the creator of the universe and all of us belong to Him. All of us belong to Jesus, like it or not.

Note that the ninety and nine are left alone in the wilderness. They are all lost so why is the one important to the Good Shepard? That sheep knows he is lost and seeks to be rescued. Secondly the Good Shepard does a personal search, He is the One who finds the lost.

When He finds this lost sheep, note the rejoicing first, a change in attitude, then a moment of security by placing the lost on His shoulders. The lost sheep’s burdens are over, the Good Shepard bears the weight of those burdens. Now comes the real kicker and most people lose sight of it. In is contained in verse six.

“And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.”

He takes that sheep home to friends and neighbors. He does not return that found sheep to the ninety and nine that are still in the wilderness.

Does that change your perception of the ninety and nine? They are still in the wilderness. Because of their surroundings they do not believe they are lost.

Are you one of the ninety and nine or the one?