A Mother's Prayer

Our mothers have taught us so much. But blessed is the boy or girl who has a mother to teach them what it means to have faith in and to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Timothy was so blessed. But so were the two 'sons of thunder', the sons of Zebedee, James and John. Their mother, Salome, was one of the women who followed Jesus and ministered to His needs. She was also a woman of faith, who believed that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the Son of God, and that Jesus would one day rule in His kingdom here on earth. As a mom, she thinks her two sons are the best and wants only the best for them. So, she humbly asks Jesus to grant to her two sons the best seats in the kingdom--a request Jesus could not grant. For the best seats in the kingdom are reserved for those who are willing to pay the cost, to sacrifice and to suffer for Christ. The best seats in the kingdom are reserved for those who are willing to start at the bottom and serve others. The best seats are reserved for those for whom the Father has prepared. Having heard Jesus' gentle rebuff, she does not shrink back from following Jesus. We do not know her ultimate fate as to how she died. But we do know that she was present with Jesus died. She however was not only a witness to Christ's crucifixion, but also to His resurrection. She is an example to us that we should boldly ask God on behalf of our children, but be willing to accept how God chooses to answer our requests.