Pathways Press.com

Written by the staff of Safe Families, an organization to create relationship and connection.

Mother’s Day is celebrated on different dates and in different ways throughout the world. In the UK, it began during the Middle Ages. On the fourth Sunday of Lent, a new tradition began called Mothering Sunday. Everyone was allowed to take a day off to travel to their hometown, visit the church they grew up in (their mother church), and see their family. During those times, it was not uncommon for children as young as ten years old to leave the family home to work, so families would be separated throughout the year apart from this one day. History tells us that for centuries, the Church has been at the heart of family life, and we know that very often, church can become family to those who live far away from, are estranged from, or who no longer have any biological family. This is part of God’s design for human flourishing…The people we worship with on a Sunday become our family. We don’t choose who is part of our church, just like we don’t choose who is in our biological family, and yet we are joined with them. We each belong to Christ, and collectively we belong to His family, the Church. This is radical belonging which goes beyond surname, blood, and family bonds. It’s a promise for each one of us, regardless of any family circumstances…In Matthew 12:48–50, Jesus redefines family. He takes our small picture of what family is and expands it into this wonderful image of the disciples becoming one another’s brothers and mothers. Although He had His biological mother and brothers nearby, He looks at His friends and uses these familial terms to describe their relationship. He shatters our societal expectations that biological family always comes first, suggesting instead that the person sat beside us in a service is as close as a brother because God has placed us together in His family. He calls us to love and value one another as highly as our own flesh and blood. As well as celebrating the mothers in our own lives, Mother’s Day also prompts us to remember those who are longing for a child that hasn’t arrived, those with children no longer in their care, those displaced from their children, and those who have been through miscarriage or have lost a child. We believe that each of us has a part to play in showing belonging to those for whom Mother’s Day is a challenging time, or who don’t have family to call their own, within our church and in our local communities. We each need mother figures within our church family to care for, support, advise, and nurture us. Each one of these mother figures is someone to celebrate and be thankful for. What a beautiful picture of family we have to celebrate this Mother’s Day.

He [Jesus] replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” [Matthew 12:48-50]

Written by Jurgen Moltmann (1926-2024), a German reformed theologian, professor, and author.  This is an excerpt from his book “The Way of Jesus Christ: Christology in Messianic Dimensions.”

When Jesus expels demons and heals the sick, he is driving out of creation the powers of destruction and is healing and restoring created beings who are hurt and sick. The lordship of God to which the healings witness, restores creation to health. Jesus’ healings are not supernatural miracles in a natural world. They are the only truly “natural” thing in a world that is unnatural, demonized, and wounded.

The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. [1 John 3:8]

Written by Theodyssey, an organization that helps people encounter God and be radically changed by the truth of His love. This is an excerpt from their study “When We Pray.”

Jesus’ call to repent is also an invitation to participate. Rather than withdraw and wait for a future world, He invites us to lean into this one – allowing His Kingdom to reshape how we live, love, and lead right here and now.  The Kingdom doesn’t arrive with spectacle or force. It moves quietly, like mustard seeds and leaven – unassuming, yet transformative. It grows through open hearts, merciful hands, and courageous acts of love.  That means we’re not just waiting for heaven. We are welcoming it. We do this whenever we embody the upside-down values of the Kingdom – humility, mercy, purity, hunger for justice. These Kingdom traits are daily choices – shaped by grace – that define how we live, relate to, and respond to the world. So, when Jesus says, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,” He invites us to see differently, desire differently, and live differently.  Not because we’re trying to earn God’s favor, but because we’ve already received it.  The Lord’s Prayer aligns our hearts with Jesus and forms us in His image, allowing the Kingdom to come alive – both in us and through us.

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;repent and believe in the gospel. [Mark 1:15]

Written by Henri Nouwen (1932-1996), a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.  This is an excerpt from his book “Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life.”

In our world full of strangers, estranged from their own past, culture, and country, from their neighbors, friends and family, from their deepest self and their God, we witness a painful search for a hospitable place where life can be lived without fear and where community can be found…It is possible for men and women and obligatory for Christians to offer an open and hospitable space where strangers can cast off their strangeness and become our fellow human beings.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. [Hebrews 13:2]

Written by Max Lucado, a contemporary pastor and author.  This is an excerpt from his book “God Is With You Every Day.”

The meaning of life. The wasted years of life. The poor choices of life. God answers the mess of life with one word: grace. We talk as though we understand the term. The bank gives us a grace period. The seedy politician falls from grace. Musicians speak of a grace note. At church grace graces the songs we sing and the Bible verses we read. Grace shares the church parsonage with its cousins: forgiveness, faith, and fellowship. Preachers explain it. Hymns proclaim it. Seminaries teach it. But do we really understand it? Here’s my hunch: we’ve settled for wimpy grace. It politely occupies a phrase in a hymn, fits nicely on a church sign. Never causes trouble or demands a response. When asked, “Do you believe in grace?” who could say no? Have you been changed by grace? Shaped by grace? Strengthened by grace? Softened by grace? God’s grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white-water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you. It rewires you. From insecure to God secure. From regret-riddled to better-because-of-it. From afraid-to-die to ready-to-fly. Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off.

For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one Man, Jesus Christ. [Romans 5:17]

Written by Ken Boa, a contemporary author and founder of Reflections Ministry.

Make a conscious effort to listen more than you speak. Seek the advice of those who have more experience or different perspectives than your own. Practice humility by acknowledging and addressing your mistakes. Pray for the wisdom to lead with humility and the courage to listen to wise counsel. Ask God to help you mend any divisions in your life and to guide you in being a peacemaker, just as Christ calls us to be.

But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. [1 Kings 12:8]

Written by Mary Taylor, a contemporary writer. This is an excerpt from the book “A Beautiful Year in the Bible.”

Living into God’s kingdom means inverting our expectations. According to the world’s standards, the best of us are self-assured and self-sufficient. Yet, Jesus teaches that we must adopt a childlike posture—reliant and trusting upon God—to enter the Kingdom…Children, with their innate trust and dependence on their parents, embody the humility and openness required to live in God’s Kingdom. In other words, embracing a Kingdom mindset means acknowledging that we are not in control and submitting ourselves to God’s guidance. This posture can be challenging to adopt, standing in stark contrast to conventional notions of control and power. We often seek to manage our lives meticulously, striving to predict what lies ahead and adopting personal metrics for success…When we rely on ourselves instead of relying on God, we miss the Kingdom of God being built in us and through us…Wealth and power are not inherently bad, but the illusion of control they can cultivate often makes it harder for us to turn to and fully depend on God.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. [Philippians 3:7-8]

Written by Jackie Aviles, a contemporary author and hope coach.  This is an excerpt from the book “A Beautiful Year in the Bible.”

As we journey through life, we inevitably face seasons of challenge and uncertainty. In these moments, we often feel pushed to our limits and wonder how we will navigate the difficulties ahead…Holding fast to faith in difficult times isn’t just about enduring hardship; it’s about trusting that God will bless and sustain us through it all.  To be strong and perseverant means leaning on one another and depending on God. The wisdom and teachings given to us by God are our lifeline. In periods of crisis, leaning into God helps guide us safely through and encourages us to uplift each other. The powerful combination of faith and community provides a steadfast anchor in the midst of turmoil, empowering us to weather any storm…Strength and perseverance are about not only surviving trials but also growing in faith through them…By committing ourselves to God’s guidance, we solidify our footing, and or perseverance bears fruit, transforming obstacles into catalysts for spiritual growth.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. [Proverbs 16:3]

This meditation is from the Pray.com app.

Jesus connects love with obedience, not out of duty, but devotion. When we treasure His commandments and live them out, we demonstrate our love for Him. This kind of love isn’t just declared; it’s shown in our actions, decisions, and attitudes. In return, Jesus offers us something extraordinary—His presence. He promises to reveal Himself to those who walk in love and obedience. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about a heart aligned with His. When we love Jesus deeply, obedience flows naturally, and in that place, we encounter the fullness of His love and nearness.

Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. [John 14:23]

Written by Cindi McMenamin, a contemporary writer and speaker.

Are you letting your past mistakes define you? And do you believe that you will always be the way you are? … A sure sign that we are stuck in pain from our past is when we excuse our behavior by saying, “That’s just the way I am.” Or, when we believe that we can never grow beyond a particular place, emotionally or spiritually. .A crucial step to healing and wholeness is to renew your mind to think differently. If you have a relationship with God, the old you that was “just that way” is gone. And the new you is now “just like Him.” … Let God define who you are—not your parents, your past, a teacher from long ago, a friend who used to criticize you, a partner or spouse who walked out on you, a therapist’s diagnosis, or a boss who thought you weren’t capable of much. The more you read in the Bible about God’s heart for you, the more you will begin to see yourself as a regenerated, transformed child of His and act like it. Discover in God’s Word how He sees you and how to start living like His child. To let God—and not the voices in your head—define you, you must learn to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). When you hear negative thoughts from your head defining you, capture them instead of letting them run loose. Be determined only to listen to the thoughts that are obedient to God, consistent with His Word’s description of you. Tune your ear to hear the thoughts of God’s that say “I have loved you with an everlasting love…” (Jeremiah 31:3); “I have called you friends” (John 15:15); and “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Who are you really when you are in Christ? Renew your mind—and receive your new identity—with the beautiful descriptions of you found in God’s Word. And walk with your head higher, focused on the fact that you are not just that way. You are, instead, just like your Heavenly Father.

If anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. [2 Corinthians 5:17]