May 8th, 2025
by Pastor Mark McAdow
by Pastor Mark McAdow
By Pastor Mark McAdow
Do you remember where the phrase “the handwriting on the wall” came from? You can find it in The Book of Daniel, Chapter 5, about a mysterious hand that wrote on the wall a note prophesying the end of King Belshazzar’s reign. Daniel was called in to interpret the phrase and that very night King Belshazzar was killed as Daniel predicted.
We use the phrase today to indicate something that will happen due to some action we took – usually something negative. Now to a more positive note.
This Sunday, May 11, is Mother’s Day – a day we as a nation celebrate our mothers. It was instituted by a Methodist laywomen named Anna Jarvis to honor her mom who died on May 9, 1905 – 120 years ago. It began at a special worship service in May 1907 at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, and is often marked by giving out carnations. Why carnations? It was her mom’s favorite flower – they tend to last longer, too!
I love Mother’ s Day because it’s always on a Sunday – the second Sunday in May – and I was blessed with a wonderful Mom (she lived the last two years of her life here in Enid and was faithful at Willow View). Mother’s Day reminds us that moms are a gift from our Heavenly Father. We will honor all women and especially recognize mothers this Sunday at Willow View.
Now back to the handwriting on the wall. I discovered a piece by that title that is most appropriate for Mother’s Day. Here it is….
As we celebrate our moms, I leave you with this word from Proverbs 31:28-31: “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
We praise the Lord for godly moms who have nurtured us and led us closer to our Lord Jesus Christ. We love our moms!
Yours in Christ’s love,
Pastor Mark
Do you remember where the phrase “the handwriting on the wall” came from? You can find it in The Book of Daniel, Chapter 5, about a mysterious hand that wrote on the wall a note prophesying the end of King Belshazzar’s reign. Daniel was called in to interpret the phrase and that very night King Belshazzar was killed as Daniel predicted.
We use the phrase today to indicate something that will happen due to some action we took – usually something negative. Now to a more positive note.
This Sunday, May 11, is Mother’s Day – a day we as a nation celebrate our mothers. It was instituted by a Methodist laywomen named Anna Jarvis to honor her mom who died on May 9, 1905 – 120 years ago. It began at a special worship service in May 1907 at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, and is often marked by giving out carnations. Why carnations? It was her mom’s favorite flower – they tend to last longer, too!
I love Mother’ s Day because it’s always on a Sunday – the second Sunday in May – and I was blessed with a wonderful Mom (she lived the last two years of her life here in Enid and was faithful at Willow View). Mother’s Day reminds us that moms are a gift from our Heavenly Father. We will honor all women and especially recognize mothers this Sunday at Willow View.
Now back to the handwriting on the wall. I discovered a piece by that title that is most appropriate for Mother’s Day. Here it is….
A weary mother returned from the store,
Lugging groceries through the kitchen door.
Awaiting her arrival was her 8 year old son,
Anxious to relate what his younger brother had done.
“While I was out playing and Dad was on a call,
T.J. took his crayons and wrote on the wall!
It’s on the new paper you just hung in the den.
I told him you’d be mad at having to do it again.”
She let out a moan and furrowed her brow,
“Where is your little brother right now?”
She emptied her arms and with purposeful stride,
She marched to his closet where he had gone to hide.
She called his full name as she entered his room.
He trembled with fear—he knew that meant doom!
For the next ten minutes, she ranted and raved
About the expensive wallpaper and how she had saved.
Lamenting all the work it would take to repair,
She condemned his actions and total lack of care.
The more she scolded, the madder she got,
Then stomped from his room, totally distraught!
She headed for the den to confirm her fears.
When she saw the wall, her eyes flooded with tears.
The message she read pierced her soul with a dart.
It said, “I love Mommy,” surrounded by a heart.
Well, the wallpaper remained, just as she found it,
With an empty picture frame hung to surround it.
A reminder to her, and indeed to all,
Take time to read the handwriting on the wall.
Lugging groceries through the kitchen door.
Awaiting her arrival was her 8 year old son,
Anxious to relate what his younger brother had done.
“While I was out playing and Dad was on a call,
T.J. took his crayons and wrote on the wall!
It’s on the new paper you just hung in the den.
I told him you’d be mad at having to do it again.”
She let out a moan and furrowed her brow,
“Where is your little brother right now?”
She emptied her arms and with purposeful stride,
She marched to his closet where he had gone to hide.
She called his full name as she entered his room.
He trembled with fear—he knew that meant doom!
For the next ten minutes, she ranted and raved
About the expensive wallpaper and how she had saved.
Lamenting all the work it would take to repair,
She condemned his actions and total lack of care.
The more she scolded, the madder she got,
Then stomped from his room, totally distraught!
She headed for the den to confirm her fears.
When she saw the wall, her eyes flooded with tears.
The message she read pierced her soul with a dart.
It said, “I love Mommy,” surrounded by a heart.
Well, the wallpaper remained, just as she found it,
With an empty picture frame hung to surround it.
A reminder to her, and indeed to all,
Take time to read the handwriting on the wall.
As we celebrate our moms, I leave you with this word from Proverbs 31:28-31: “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
We praise the Lord for godly moms who have nurtured us and led us closer to our Lord Jesus Christ. We love our moms!
Yours in Christ’s love,
Pastor Mark
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