Mark Bishop
Singing News Article
May 2007
Hopefully, by the time you read this,
the feeling of Springtime will be in the air. We have just
celebrated Easter and the wonderful promise that Jesus
resurrection holds for the Christian, and now we leave the cold
winds of winter to embrace the new life of Spring. Isn't it
wonderful how God has things worked out?
Also coming up very soon is the day when churches all across the
country will be handing out flowers to all of the moms out there
for Mothers Day. I can remember how this was a big day at church
when we were growing up. Our church would encourage each family to
"pack a pew" with all of moms children, grandchildren and whoever
else in the family that could be counted.
My mother-in-law, Carolyn's mom, usually won that bouquet of
flowers. She had nine daughters, three sons, three step-daughters
and I can't count the grand-kids. The Walton's had nothing on
these folks.
I remember one time that the pastor got up and announced, "This
year, we won't be awarding flowers to the oldest mother or the
mother with the most children present or to the newest mother
either... this year we will be giving flowers to every single
mother in attendance." Of course, none of the single moms wanted
to step forward for their prize.
Sometimes it was all that my mom could do just to get her family
ready for church on Sunday morning. I am the oldest of four boys
and as you can imagine, we were like a corral of wild horses to be
tamed. There is no stress in the world like the stress of getting
your family ready for church on Sunday mornings. It's ok to fight
in the morning before work or school but it seems like something
is amiss if you have to threaten the life of your child just
before settling down to hear about the love and the peace of God.
My mom had a way of making you feel like you really were getting
ready to meet God. And pack your suitcases because your going to
be staying with him.
Of course now, I wouldn't trade it for anything because even
though it seemed to be no fun for a restless kid, it showed me how
important it is to keep your children in church. They were
building a foundation then that my my spiritual house rests on
now. So moms... make your children go to church with you if you
have to drag them to do it. A threat of physical harm is
permissible in these type situations.
Just as impressive to me are the moms who are out there traveling
and singing Gospel Music, all while raising a family on a big 'ol
bus. Every week I meet someone's children milling around backstage
as their moms and dads take the stage and share their ministry of
music. I've seen some of these kids grow up and turn into fine,
fine people. Gosh... that makes me feel old when I start thinking
about it.
I remember when we sang with Karen Peck and New River and their
bus would start to unload at a concert venue. Back when they
traveled with a full band, it looked like one of those clown cars
unloading at a circus. People just kept falling off that bus. One
big happy family... I'd say that they could tell some stories.
That's the wonderful thing about moms... you can't be one without
having a family.
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