Heart to Heart

God Is a Rewarder!
This month as we celebrate Mother’s Day, I can’t help but think of my own mom, Mrs. Oretha Hagin. She went home to be with the Lord on June 28, 2007, but I thank God for her and the godly example she set in our home. I learned as much from watching her and how she lived as I did from what she said to me. By her example Mom taught me endurance. She faced many hardships in the early years of my dad’s ministry, but she never complained. And she never allowed my sis and me to complain either. She’d say, “Kids, don’t worry about the sacrifice. If we’ll stay true to God’s call, we’ll be blessed in the end.” Mom taught me to stay put in the hard place. She taught me that you don’t start something and quit—no matter how hard it gets. You endure, and you finish!

Another hallmark of Mom’s life was faithfulness. There were a lot of lonely hours for her when Dad was out on the road—a lot of responsibilities and decisions to make. But she always stayed faithful to God. She’d say to me, “Son, life is not always fair. But if you’ll do right and live for God, He will reward you.” I can still hear her voice ringing with those words—words that have kept me steady through many difficult times.

Although Mom made sacrifices in the ministry, one of the most important things she taught me was how wonderful it is to serve God—no matter what. She knew that there is nothing more important in life than doing the will of God. And she’d say, “If God calls, He’s faithful to provide.” She was right! I watched God come through for us time and time again.

There is a price to be paid for following God—just as there is a price to be paid to be a good athlete or musician. But as Mom always said, “God’s grace is greater than any price you have to pay.”

Celebrate the moms in your life this month. And remember, as my mom taught me, God is a rewarder! He will always come through for you.