Everything else... is gravy.

I remember sitting in a Sunday morning Bible class some years ago, watching a video by Max Lucado. I can't recall exactly what the topic was being discussed; I think it was about grace. What I do remember are these words he spoke, "If God never did anything more for us than to offer us salvation and eternal life, wouldn't that be enough?"

That statement, along with the celebration of Mother's Day coming up, got me thinking about all the many blessings God showers on us so lavishly. Great among those is the gift of a godly mother.

Mothers aren't perfect people, far from it, but within this fallen world, they hold a sacred office. They nurture the blessings of children the Lord places within their care, and of utmost importance, they help to guide those little ones toward a relationship with their Lord and Savior.

There is no higher calling, and I have the greatest respect for all those who have dedicated their lives in service to God and His church... but the Kingdom calling begins at home where tiny hands are folded in prayer and sweet voices sing praises to their good, good Father.

I was blessed to have such a mother. She taught me in both word and deed what it meant to be in that kind of "relationship" with Jesus. I watched her. I tried to emulate her example. I witnessed first-hand what that kind of calling looked like, not just in our own family, but in the lives of everyone she touched.

It occurred to me that where there is faith there is fullness of life. We didn't have a lot by worldly standards, but we were rich in the thing that counted most. A real and vibrant faith is the truest wealth and that which surpasses all else in value. Anything beyone that... is gravy.

I wasn't a perfect mother either, yet God multiplied my humble efforts ten-fold... a thousand-fold! He was with me every step of the way, guiding, correcting, "fixing" my mistakes, lifting me up each and every time I fell short, encouraging me to keep going. I was invested in trying my best to raise these children for Him, and He, in turn, was invested not only in my children, but also in me.

I have seen the fruits of His labor... and it is a beautiful thing. I am beyond grateful that He let me partner in the experience. It is one I will cherish all my days, and thanks be to God for saving grace, even beyond.

Now as a grandmother, I have been privileged to see those seeds of faith being nurtured and growing in my grandchldren's lives. It makes me tear up to think about Ben talking so earnestly about the reassurance of heaven to me when he heard I was praying for someone who was sick. It makes my heart overflow with joy to hear Flint and Wade belting out the praise songs at Easter service, and seeing little Casey fold her hands in prayer. Even tiny Paisley raises her hands in praise when she sees those around her lifting theirs up in worship to the Lord.

I tell you truthfully, nothing can compare to the asssurance that those you love have an eternal inheritance waiting for them.

When you have the Lord, you have everything, and without Him, you have nothing. House, career, money, status, influence... are hollow trophies without the sum and substance of saving faith.

If all God ever gave us was salvation and eternal life, wouldn't that be enough? Yet... He grants us so much more. This Mother's Day I thank God for my own godly mother. I thank Him for my children who know and love the Lord. I thank Him for the legacy of faith I see growing and maturing in the lives of my precious grandbabies... and I am humbled.

I could not ask for anything more...

everything else is gravy.