"Are you my mother?"

“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.  Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.  For whoever does the willof my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”    Matthew 12:46-50

Dear Friends,
 
TD Eastman is the author of the children’s book entitled “Are You My Mother?”  A synopsis of this book is that a baby bird is hatched while his mother was away looking for food. Unfortunately, he falls from his nest and then decides to go in search for her, but he doesn’t know what she looks like or even that she’s a bird. So, everyone the little bird comes in contact with he asks the question, “Are you my mother?” He asks a dog, a cow, a plane and a snort. Ultimately, near the end of the book the little bird and his mother are reunited after some pretty confusing situations.
 
Who would have ever known that TD Eastman was a theologian of sorts?  In his childlike words he was trying to convey who was this little bird’s mother.  Many times that is exactly the way Jesus speaks to his disciples and to us – Matthew conveys that Jesus asks, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, Jesus said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.  For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” 
 
In the past twenty two years, City Impact has encountered many who have been in search of a mother or father (of sorts) someone that they could lean on, get guidance from and even kick them in the behind (not literally).  Now, we are at a place in our lives and the organization that we are attending graduations and weddings – to sit in the audience as proud parents is incredible and it is even more exciting is to officiate the weddings.
 
A former professor once said, evaluate your ministry in twenty years and then you can determine if you’ve made a difference.  Please know City Impact has made a significant difference in many lives and it is due to your continued love, prayers and financial support to our ministry.
 
Forever grateful,
​Betty Alvarez Ham
President