This was definitely a rabbit trail in my devotions this morning, which started when I read Job 33:29. The verse says this:
“Behold, God works all these these things, twice, in fact, three times with a man.”
What in the world is Job saying? I wasn’t sure, so I dug a little deeper and Matthew Henry gave me the answer:
“All providences are to be looked upon as God’s workings with man, his strivings with him. He uses a variety of methods to do men good; if one affliction does not do the work, he will try another; if neither do, he will try a mercy; and he will send a messenger to interpret both. He often works such things as these twice, thrice; so it is in the original, referring to v. 14: ‘For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it.’ He speaks once, yea, twice; if that prevail not, he works twice, yea, thrice.” MH
How gracious is our God! He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Aren’t you glad that God didn’t give up on you? Think back to the catalysts that drove you to your knees and thank God for them. Or think of the circumstances God brought into your life just this week to save you from the wrong path in life.
So now to the rabbit trail, hence the name of this post. The phrase.” three times” made me think of that song, and it brought back a very sweet memory of dancing with my sweetheart while we were in college. The Curious George in me wondered what the words were about and why the composer wrote them. Here’s the answer:
“At a party to celebrate his parents’ 37th wedding anniversary, Richie’s father toasted his mother, Alberta, saying “She’s a great lady, she’s a great mother, and she’s a great friend.” The toast inspired Richie to write a waltz, “Three Times a Lady”, which he dedicated to his wife, Brenda.” *
It’s a beautiful tribute to his mom and wife. And the challenge for me and you, dear friend, is this: would my husband or family or friends say this about me? Am I a great lady in that I do great things for God—great things gaged by God’s measuring stick, like missing the party to care for a sick child, picking up the piece of trash in the church auditorium, making a meal for a harried mother, sending a note of encouragement to a friend just because God brought the thought to mind? Would my family say I was a great mother? In that title comes the question: am I a great wife? Am I a great friend? And if not, why not; and if so, why is it true?
Truly, a great lady, mom, and friend is a beautiful thing and is like the diamond’s multifaceted surface. There are many things a woman does to receive the title of greatness. She is not perfect, but Micah 6:8 gives a wonderful, all-encompassing idea of how greatness, in God’s eyes as well as others, is accomplished:
- Do justly: Do what is right. Simple, right?! 🤪
- Love mercy: She doesn’t “just show mercy, but [loves] to show it. Give others the same measure of mercy you want to receive from [God].” David Guzik
- Walk humbly: Spurgeon puts it this way and packs a lot of meaning into this little two-word phrase: “True humility is thinking rightly of thyself, not meanly. When you have found out what you really are, you will be humble, for you are nothing to boast of. To be humble will make you safe. To be humble will make you happy. To be humble will make music in your heart when you go to bed. To be humble here will make you wake up in the likeness of your Master by-and-by.”
- With your God: Ah! Here it is—the main ingredient!
So, this Mother’s Day weekend, I leave this with you. Be great—by being small! (Walk humbly with your God). Keep your focus on sharing the Good News of our Great Savior in the most trivial task (Do justly). And wrap it all up in the amazing “God-love” that sweetens and perfects everything we do (love mercy)! And enjoy a good and godly Mother’s Day!
Thanks for the times that you’ve given me
The memories are all in my mind
And now that we’ve come to the end of our rainbow
There’s something I must say out loud
You’re once, twice, three times a lady
And I love you
Yes, you’re once, twice, three times a lady
And I love you
I love you
When we are together, the moments I cherish
With every beat of my heart
To touch you, to hold you, to feel you, to need you
There’s nothing to keep us apart
You’re once, twice, three times a lady
And I love you
I love you
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Lionel Richie
Three Times a Lady lyrics © Superb Songs Limited
Beyond Common Sense 