Nuggets 69: Keeper of the Springs

  • B. Shelburne
  • May 12, 2007
  • Series: Nuggets

A town grew up at the foot of a mountain.  It had a wonderful, clear water supply from a spring-fed mountain stream.  A forest dweller took care of the springs for the town, keeping each spring clean of leaves, silt, mold and other contamination.  Hard-boiled businessmen on the town council decided to save money by cutting the man's salary from the budget.  Gradually the water supply became less clear and even scummy.  Disease increased in the town because no one was watching the springs.

 

Peter Marshall used this story to illustrate the vital role mothers play as keepers of the springs of society.  Women do valuable things, but none as critically important as their mother role.  More than anyone mothers shape the character of children, and children become tomorrow's culture, good or evil.

My dad was often tied up in his ministry.  He loved and inspired us kids, but it was Mom who brought much wholesome order into our lives.  Every day we had to lie down for an afternoon rest.  Mom made it easier by reading us a Bible story.  We didn't realize then that she was pouring treasure into us a day at a time.  God gave women a longing for children and a natural love for them.  It is an unnatural selfishness when a woman can reject her child even in the womb.  Mom couldn't bear it when one of us got hurt.  She grieved if she thought she had handed down to us any personality weakness of her own.  Our repentance for the "sins of our youth" was deeper because we knew we had sinned against Mom's love and trust.

I have lived a long time but quotes from Mom still come to my mind.  She once said that a minister's family does not have as much money as other families do, but we have something greater, getting to see people's lives change under God's grace.  Ideas like that inspired my own ministry.  What a difference moms make!

Exodus 2:1-9;  1 Samuel 1:1-28;  2:19;  1 Kings 3:16-28;  Proverbs 31;  Isaiah 49:15;  Matthew 15:4;  Luke 2:51;  John 19:25-27;  2 Timothy 1:5

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Copyright 2007 by G.B. Shelburne, III.  May be freely reproduced or forwarded for non-commercial purposes provided content is unchanged and this copyright notice is included.  These shepherding messages are sent to members and friends of New Beginnings Church (www.nbchurch.com), to students and alumni of South Houston Bible Institute (www.shbi.org), and to other interested persons.

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