Moms, Courts and Prayer

   The US Supreme case on marriage, the National Day of Prayer and Mother’s Day. They’re all important. Actually, I think they are all related.
   In this day of rampant fatherlessness, we talk a great deal about fathers being irreplaceable in the lives of their children. The truth is, mothers are irreplaceable too. Mine certainly was.
   I’m adopted. By His grace and in His sovereignty, God gave me to Bob and Mary Appling. At some point it became pretty obvious I was adopted. I eventually shot up to 6’ in height. My adoptive mother was a veritable pygmy, having to stretch to make it to 5’ tall. Funniest thing, though, while I towered over my mother by at least third grade -- and my brother was also considerably taller than mom -- she didn’t let that stop her at all from administering appropriate discipline to us, whenever and wherever it was needed.
   I never doubted my mother loved me. She showed it in so many ways. Putting me and my needs before her own, making sure I had what I needed to grow up to be the kind of woman she knew God wanted me to be. Any shortcoming I assure you is not my mother’s fault; I assume full responsibility for my many, many failures.
   Mom stayed home with me and my brother while Dad worked. She kept house, kept up with us, kept after the dog and kept Dad happy. She taught Sunday School in our church, was a great neighbor, volu ...