“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” John 19:25-27 

I’m at church, hiding for just a moment. It is Mother’s Day. I should come ready to feel some hard thing given that both my Mom and one of my daughter’s are gone. But for the most part the memories are sweet and the loss is more remote. But I was surprised this morning. A verse I’ve heard or read thousands of time suddenly became three dimensional. Twice in today’s services this verse was highlighted and twice it got me.

I was overcome by the picture of the women with Mary at the cross. What shouted out to me was that Mary’s sister was there. Grief and gratitude. Grief and gratitude. I see God’s almighty hand here providing for Mary in deeply caring ways. Even as he is dying, Jesus gives his mother to a new son to be honored and loved and cared for; and even before that beautiful provision, God gave her a sister whose own deep grief at Jesus’ death and unplumbed sorrow for her sister was for Mary even when Mary couldn’t know it.

Today I’m more thankful than ever for the ‘God Squad’ of women with which He has blessed me. Thank You Lord for Cindy and Toni and Paula. Thank You for heart-friends who pray for me and stand with me in grief. Thank You for daughters who miss their sister so much and who ‘sister’ each other through. Thank You that Mary had her sister beside her in her deepest hour of loss and grief. God – You are good – all of the time!

OK – now I ca go back! 🙂