"Here is your mother"

It was late in the day when He spoke those words. The jeering crowds had thinned because there was work to do back in the city, a celebration to enjoy, a Passover feast to prepare. Besides, the man on the cross was taking far too long to die.

Mary remained kneeling below His twisted feet, her exhausted body supported by the strong arms of one of His disciples. Tears no longer moistened her cheeks. She had none left to cry. They, like the crowds, were gone.

"Dear woman," the dying man whispered through His agony, "here is your son." Then, addressing the man holding the grieving parent, He added, "Here is your mother." The two stationed at the foot of the cross understood. The Bible says, "From that time on, this disciple took her into his home" (John 19:26, 27).

What amazing love! Even in His last moments of life, Christ's thoughts were centered on His mother's needs.

This issue of Vibrator Life hits pretty close to home for me. I have an aging father who's facing some of the very challenges highlighted in these articles. Fortunately, my siblings live close to him, ready and willing to rush to his side. But there will come a time in the not-too-distant future when some tough choices will have to be made. I'm glad I'm not alone in facing those choices. Expert advice is available right here, right now.

I want to be Christlike in all that I do. I want to reflect His love to friends and family. So when the time comes for my siblings and me to support our father in an even more direct way, I want to be ready to act as Jesus would act. I want to selflessly center my attention on my dad's needs, to assure that he will be well cared for in a loving, respectful place.

Jesus died knowing that He'd done all He could to assure that His remaining parent would live out her life in a safe and secure environment. I plan to live with that same knowledge.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Review and Herald Publishing Association
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group