If most of us compare the circumstances of our lives with mom’s circumstances, we would realize we have much more to appreciate and be less likely to complain. Mom’s biological father tried to blind her as an infant. He deserted the family. Mom grew up during The Great Depression. She had only two toys and her mother gave her favorite toy to another child. She did not finish high school and went to work at an early age. During most of her life she suffered from various health issues.

But mom’s hard circumstances did not define her attitudes or destroy her outlook. Recently my wife showed me something mom had written in a well-read, frequently underlined devotional book titled “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. She read the June 5th entry in 2012, 2013 and 2014. In 2014 she wrote the following: “2014 Our Secret – His dream, mine again 06/05/14: My Father – Today I realized it was so good for me not to have an earthly father; that I would love you and you alone totally. Thank you, Father for showing me this.” One of the scripture passages on this page is:

Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (ESV)

Sometimes we miss the attention and provision of the best Father. Mom saw God’s love more clearly as a true Father because of her lack of a biological father.

From Mom’s devotional.