Do you have a great mother? Has your mother passed away? Has another person in your life taken up the role of mother? Whether biological or just in practice… who is the “Mom” in your life?
No doubt all the stores and malls will be teeming with shoppers, carefully searching to find the perfect gift for their mothers. Others are scrambling to find just the right card. Truth be known, over the years I have fallen into both categories. Mother’s Day is one specific day of the year during which we find ways to honor our mothers, make a big deal about them, and all the great things they do for us. But as time passes, I’ve been thinking, maybe gifts and cards aren’t the only way I can honor my mother?
In the Bible, we are told to “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16) The dictionary defines honor as “respect that is given to someone who is admired; good reputation; good quality or character as judged by other people; high moral standards of behavior.” But how long should we honor? For a day? A week? Or perhaps with our lives?
As I think about my mother and what she has taught me about honor, many memories flood my mind, but one in particular stands out. My father passed away recently. Mom and Dad had been married for 59 years. Dad was 88 and Mom was 90. After Dad’s funeral, my brothers and I stood beside my mother to receive what seemed like an endless line of friends and family. Not only were there friends and coworkers of my father in this line, but life-long friends of my mother’s too. We stood as person after person came to pay their respects and share their special memories of Dad and their love for my mom. My brothers and I watched as my mother greeted every person in the line, shaking their hand and listening to their kind words. I was exhausted and knew Mom must be too, but she continued greeting, declining to sit each time a chair was offered. I knew this was her way of honoring my Dad. We stood for over 2 hours beside our sweet mother until the very last guest was greeted.
As I reflected on this, I realized I was still learning from mom. Making friends is good, but keeping friends throughout life requires faithfulness. Sink your roots deep in the Body of Christ, they can lend you strength when times are hard. Invest in the lives of others, especially those who teach your children, for your time is multiplied through their influence. Most of all, honor the people you love to the very end and honor their memory beyond.
Consider how you might honor your mom on her special day AND throughout the year; not just with cards or gifts… those are great, but also honor her with the stories you share, the lessons you teach, and the way you choose to live.
