Mama Knows Best | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Mama Knows Best | Previous Challenge Entry
By Nigel Byng
06/03/11
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

Mama Knows Best

“Jelly, everything works for the good of them that serve the Lord.”
My mother was in her preaching mood as she dusted flour from off her apron. In mama’s house, Friday evenings was for baking and Friday evening baking never quite lasted till Saturday morning.

I never was quite sure though if “Jelly” was her pet name for her chubby son or just a play on my name.

“The name is Nigel. You gave it to me remember?” I pretended to be offended.

“Your sisters named you Nigel. I had run out of names by the time I got to you.” Her infectious smile ripped across her face as her eyes wrinkled into a mischievous wink.

At seventy six years of age, my mom was still a treasure chest of wisdom, always full of anecdotes and advice for me. Twelve children, of which am the (youngest) and twenty three grand kids, now minus her husband she still walks by faith and lives by prayer in the grace of God. And that is actually her motto.

Today I sat at her old dining table with the wobbly legs and watched her dominate her kitchen. Not with as much haste as before but still light and agile across the floor. I had sat in that same spot many times prior while I waited for her advice, and a slice of warm freshly baked bread.

“Son, you should demonstrate more faith.”

“How do I do this mom?” I already knew the answer but when mother says it, it rings full of belief and integrity.

I am not sure if it was a pause for effect, a pause to gather her thoughts or if she had just switched off on the conversation, she did that quite a lot since crossing seventy years of age, but for the first time my mom hesitated when it came to giving advice.

Then a light went off. She smiled, walked and stroked my head with her doughy hand and whispered words that will quiet any doubter.

“By faith,” she whispered, “Noah being warned of things not yet seen built an ark to save himself and his family and became the heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

The cynic in me wanted to deliver a stinging retort but there was a knowing glow in her eyes. She definitely believes and lives the word of God.

“So you are saying its okay to quit my job and write as God inspires me, as this is the ministry he has called me to?” I wanted her to say yes so badly.

“I am saying if you believe that God has said to do so then you do so. Abraham went to a place he knew not of just because God told him to go. Elijah went to the brook just because God told him to and the ravens fed him. God won’t ask you to do something without providing the means for it to be accomplished.”

I whispered an angel’s tiptoe of a thank you Jesus. Faith takes steps in paths that you may not have travelled but directions that God has already charted. The steps of a righteous man are ordered by God.

While everyday has its struggles my perspective is as Noah’s, Abraham’s, even Job’s. If God says it then it will be as he says.

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.