John Todd was born in Rutledge, Vermont, into a family that had many children. They moved to a small house near Killingsworth back in the early 1800s. It was there, at a very young age, both John's parents died. The relatives wondered what they would do with so many children, how they could parcel them out to other friends and relatives. One dear and loving aunt said she would take little John. The aunt sent a horse and a servant to get John, who was only six at the time. The servant came and put the little boy on the back of the horse. On the way back an endearing conversation took place:

John asked, "Will she be there?"

The servant replied, "Oh, yes, she'll be there waiting up for you."

Little John then asked, "Do you think I will like living with her?

The servant looked into John's eyes and said, "My son, you have fallen into very good hands.

John, then asked, "Will she love me?"

The servant smiled and said, "Ah, yes, she has a big heart."

John went on, "Will I have my own room? Will she let me have a puppy?"

The servant replied with a laugh, "She's got everything all set, son. I think she has some surprises, too.

John looked at the coming darkness, "Do you think she'll go to bed before we get there?"

The servant answered him, "Oh, no! She'll be sure to wait up for you. You'll see when we get out of these woods. You'll see her candle shining in the window."

When they got to the clearing, sure enough, there was a candle in the window and she was standing in the doorway waiting. When the servant put on the ground, she reached down, put her arms around him, kissed him, and said "Welcome home!" She fed him a warm supper, took him to his room, and then waited by his bedside until he fell asleep.

John Todd grew up to be a great minister of the gospel. But it was there at his aunt's, his new mother, that he grew up. It was always a special place of enchantment because of his aunt. It awed him that she had given him a second home. She had become a second mother to him.

Years later, long after he had moved away, his aunt wrote to tell him of her impending death. Her health was failing and she wondered what was to become of her. This is what John Todd wrote her:

"My Dear Aunt,

Years ago I left a house of death not knowing where I was to go, whether anyone cared, whether it was the end of me. The ride was long but the slave encouraged me. Finally, he pointed out your candle to me, and there we were in the yard and you embraced me and took me by the hand into my own room that you had made up. After all these years I still can't believe it--how you did all that for me! I was expected; I felt safe in that room--so welcomed. It was my room.

Now it's your turn to go, and as one who has tried it out, I'm writing to let you know that Someone is waiting up. Your room is all ready, the light is on, the door is open, and as you ride into the yard--don't worry, Auntie. You're expected! I know. I once saw God standing in your doorway--long ago!"

Adapted from a book by James S. Hewitt

Praise God For Good Women Who Aren't Our Mothers But Really Are..

God has placed lovely women in some of our lives who have become like "mothers" to us. Some of them are second mothers, mothers who aren't are real mothers, but through love become like mothers to us. You see it in Paul's life. In Romans 16:13, he says, "Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.." He is writing the Church and he tells them to say hello to his dear friend Rufus and his friend's mother.. who he says was like a mother to him.

You see there are good women who sometimes step in and open their hearts and take us in like we were their own. Sometimes, they are women who have never had children like in John Todd's case. Yet they have a mother's heart and they reach out and they take in the ones that really need them. It is women like these who often have God standing in their doorway..

On this Mother's Day Week we want to honor the wonderful women who have mother's hearts.. who love and love even those that aren't their own. They are special gift from God. If you have someone like that in your life make sure they know how much you appreciate them.