Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Luke 7:11-15
I think any woman who has a grown child, especially a son since they don’t call as often, can relate to this story. Death comes in many forms, not just physically. Kids often choose the wrong paths, even as adults. They get into unhealthy relationships , pick up addictions, leave marriages, lose jobs. Each time our grown children disappoint us a little hope dies, doesn’t it? When you were bouncing them on your knee or watching them diligently color a picture as they crouched over it at the dining room table, or clapping and hooting in the stands as they caught a football – this was not how you imagined their life would be. You saw delusions of grandeur. Someday my son will be President, Doctor, Great Professor, MPV Heisman Trophy player. You lavished in the comments teachers, other parents and friends had to say.
But, in a series of life events, it all began to die. Poor choices, wrong turns, different lifestyles can kill a mother’s dream. But it doesn’t have to kill your love.
A wise friend once told me we each have our own wilderness journey, just like the Hebrews did following Moses in the desert while God prepared them to be the people they needed to be to enter the Promised Land. So do our children, siblings, spouses and even our parents. Whatever we go through in life, God can resurrect it to His glory. He is in the business of second chances and turning evil into good.
Jesus understood the special bonds of mother and child. He still does. Trust that one day, in His perfect timing, He too will give you back your child, just as he did to this widow. And your son or daughter will be the better for it. So will you.
