Honoring Mom

“Her children rise up and call her blessed…”   - Proverbs 31:28

The Bible instructs children to honor their parents. One of the Ten Commandments states: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12; cf. Ephesians 6:2-3). King Solomon instructed children to “Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old” (Proverbs 23:22). He goes on to encourage children to, “Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice” (Proverbs 23:25). It is clear that God expects children to honor their parents. Jesus set the example for us. Just before His death on the cross we see a moving scene. The Apostle John records: When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home (John 19:26-27). Jesus showed honor for His mother by ensuring that she would be cared for by John.

May 7, 2012, is a very special day—my mom’s 70^th birthday! Last month my two sisters and I had the privilege of celebrating mom’s birthday a little early by taking her to Savannah, Georgia. According to my calculations it had been nearly 29 years since my mom, sisters, and I had shared a trip together like this. The last time we were together like this was on vacation in Canada with my dad in 1983. Several months after that trip God called my dad home to heaven. So our trip to Savannah was very special and brought back a lot of memories for each one of us. We had a blast together and my sisters and I even got into a little mischief (just like when we were kids). It was good to share time together, to relive some memories, and to laugh a lot. It was a blessing to my heart to see the smile on my mom’s face—it was clear she was enjoying herself. 

 

I am thankful for my mom! I am thankful for her prayers for her son. I am thankful for her faithfulness to God. I am thankful for her encouragement. I am thankful for her servant’s heart. In fact, just about every time I call her she is on her way to or from the home of another widow, or carrying a meal to someone. She is truly a servant. I am thankful for her perseverance as she has been a widow now for nearly 29 years—she has set her hope on God (1 Timothy 5:5). I am thankful for the values she instilled into me when I was young. I am thankful that she loved me enough to discipline me. I am thankful that she loved and honored my dad as well as her parents. I am thankful to God that He gave me mom!

Today I rise up and called mom blessed. And I know if dad could he would also rise up and call her blessed and he would sing her praises (see Proverbs 31:28). Happy 70^th Birthday Mom! I am blessed to call you mom. I love you!