Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a day to tell 'mom' that you love her. It's a day to recognize all that she has done for you and to give her a card and maybe even a present. It's a hard day for some who have lost their mother. It's a bitter reminder of harsh words spoken or of opportunities lost. But you can't spend your life full of guilt and bitterness and you can't only tell your mom that you love her on one day in the year. Mother's Day should be every day. 


Every day you should tell your mom that you love her and every day you should honor your mom whether she is with you or not. Whether you have had a good relationship or a poor one with your mother you can still honor her. Whether she has been the best mother a child could have or the absolute worst one, you can still honor her by the way you live and by being the person you should be. 


Think about it, when we see a young child 'acting up' in public we immediately think that the mother is not doing a very good job at bringing this child up. We blame the mother because the child is still young enough to mold and train and that happens to be the chief job of a mother. So when we see an honest, honorable, hard working adult who is kind and compassionate to others, we should give the mother of that individual the credit as well. 


When does a mother ever cease to be a mother? Never! When does a mother cease to instruct her child? Never! A mother's job is never finished. Because she loves her child she will always strive to instruct and mold and 'mother' that child regardless of that child's age. We read in Proverbs 31 the words of King Lemuel's mother. Lemuel was a king and his mother was still instructing him. 
 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.  Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb. Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!... (v.1)
She begins by asking him to listen to her instructions. She tells him to stay away from strong drink and loose women. Then she tells him to have compassion on others less fortunate than him. 
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.Speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy.(vs.8-9)
Then she tells him what to look for in a wife and we read the familiar portion of Scripture that Proverbs 31:10-31 is.  I just find it amazing that even after being a king, Lemuel's mother was still teaching him. Whether she was still alive or not, we don't know, but he honored her by remembering her teaching and by writing it down to bless and instruct others. 


The Word tells us in Proverbs 1:8

Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching,

To forsake means to turn away from or to renounce and a mother's teaching is not something we want to forsake. Your mother is the first person to teach you right from wrong, don't dishonor her by making foolish decisions to do what you know is wrong. Your mother is the one who teaches you compassion by kissing your boo boos better when you are hurt. Honor her by showing compassion to others. Your mother teaches you manners, use yours to tell others that she brought you up right. Your mother is your first teacher, remember her instructions and honor her in the way you live your life. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! And for those of you who have lost your mother, honor your mother by doing something nice for someone else's mother today. God bless.