A Fable: The Good Mother

A certain child was working on a project that he couldn't complete himself. He felt so frustrated and discouraged that he wailed and cried and beat his fists against the table.

And by chance there came down a certain mother that way, and when she saw him, she passed by on the other side.

And likewise his teacher, when she saw him the next day, came and looked on him but had no time to help.

But a certain family friend, when she came to visit, came to where the child was, and when she heard about his project, she had compassion on him. She went to him and sat down beside him, pulling the work between them and took the pencil in her own hand and helped him.

And later, when she departed, she told the child that she would love to help him again if he ever needed it.

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was mother to that child?

Comments

Carolyn said…

Just so you know: I didn't write this story as a direct reflection of any kids or recent events. I wrote it because I was reading the story of the good Samaritan in the book of Luke and thinking about the wonderful women who have been like mothers to my boys, especially those who have no children of their own but have gone the extra mile for mine. Christ calls the Samaritan a "neighbor" even though he does not live anywhere close to Jerusalem; he says that we are *all* neighbors. I see a parallel in that to the language we use in the church about all women being mothers. To you women who have cared for my boys, who have taught and played with and listened to them: you have mothered them. Thank you.

October 9, 2016 at 11:48 AM

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