The Music & the Spoken Word broadcast airs live via TV, radio, and Internet stream on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time. For information on other airtimes, visit “Airing Schedules” at musicandthespokenword.org.

Music

Conductors: Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy
Organist: Richard Elliott
Announcer: Lloyd Newell

“I Think the World Is Glorious”¹
Music: Alexander Schreiner

Lyrics: Anna Johnson
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg

“I Often Go Walking”²
Music: Jeanne P. Lawler
Lyrics: Phyllis Luch
Arrangement: Nathan Hofheins

“Belgian Mother’s Song” (Organ solo)
Flemish folk song
Arrangement: Charles M. Courboin

“Home Is a Special Kind of Feeling”²
Music: John Rutter
Lyrics: David Grant

“A Mother’s Love”
by David Len Allen

“Tonight” from West Side Story
Music: Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Arrangement: Sam Cardon

“Come to My Garden” from The Secret Garden
Music: Lucy Simon
Lyrics: Marsha Norman
Arrangement: Kurt Bestor

1.On the CD Teach Me to Walk in the Light and in the CD set The Missionary Collection.
2.On the CD Love Is Spoken Here and in the CD set Anniversary Collection.
3.On the CD Showtime! Music of Broadway and Hollywood and in the CD set Encore Collection.

The Spoken Word

A Mother’s Heart

Mothers, by their very nature, are always thinking of others. Years of sacrificing and serving, of loving and giving, have taught them that their joy is increased as they bring joy to others.

One man learned this lesson from his mother in an interesting way, long after he was grown, married, and had children of his own. By this time his mother was elderly and residing in an assisted-living center. The son had brought his family to see her on Mother’s Day, which wasn’t unusual—they came to visit her often.

But this time, soon after welcoming them with open arms, the frail woman picked up the phone and began calling a neighbor. When her son asked what she was doing, she just smiled. No one answered the phone, but every few minutes, even though dialing was difficult for her, she called again—and again and again. At last, her friend answered the phone.

“Please come and join us,” the mother said. “My son and his wife and family are here. Come over!” And then the son knew why his mother had been so persistent in calling. She knew that her friend might not get any visitors, and she did not want her to be alone on this special day.

She could have just enjoyed her family’s company; no one would have blamed her for wanting them all to herself. After all, it was Mother’s Day, and they had come to see her. But instead, she reached out to someone whose needs were perhaps greater than her own. The friend came over, and together the family and the two mothers talked and visited, laughed and reminisced, enjoying a beautiful afternoon together. There was more than enough love and joy to share on this never-to-be-forgotten Mother’s Day.

This captures so well what it means to be a mother—and a grandmother. They think of others. They love and give and spend time caring for others. As a result, their circle of goodness ever expands to include those who might otherwise be left out. That’s why their hearts are so big, because they are so often reaching out instead of focusing on themselves. A mother’s heart enlarges the world with love and joy.