Mothers

 Acts 9:36-43v 42 “ The news spread through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord.”

Tabitha like most moms was always doing kind things. However, she became ill and died. Believers heard that Peter was in the area, so they sent two friends to find him. When they did, he travelled as soon as he could to visit the grieving family. He was taken to the upstairs room where the body was laid out. He told her “Get up Tabitha” then after helping her out of the bed by offering his hand he presented her to all the believers. The news spread through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord. Peter stayed a long time in Joppa.

Caring for a loving female role model in a community was probably an unusual thing to do. It does not say in this account of raising Tabitha from the dead that Peter was asked to do it or that he was given specific orders from God to do it either. We do know that Tabitha like a good mother was always doing kind things for others and was always helping the poor. We can imagine then that she was well known in the community both by those whom she asked to help her causes and amongst the people she helped. Her kindness had spread throughout the community. How many mothers do you know who have treated you with kindness in your life?  Small acts that have changed who you are and where you are going?

Dramatic accounts like this one have dramatic effects. Peter responded to the call of the believers who cared about the death of this loving mother Tabitha.  God showed Peter how to impact the people around him and gave him stamina to continue for a long time. God can provide what we need today to have the most impact in our corner of the world. Belief in God and Jesus as the corner stone, and the holy spirit within us gives us the things we need. Our response, to listen, to follow where we are led and to believe that with God all things are possible from raising the dead to producing many believers in a town started by a mother showing others her loving kindness.

Prayer: Holy Father guide us everyday to be kind to others as the mothers in our lives have shown us. To help the poor in spirit as well as the financially poor in our community. Join all together to worship you in Jesus’ name. Amen