The commandment to ‘Honor Your Mother’ is not a suggestion, and there are no exemptions. Her character or effectiveness as a parent is not the issue. God established the guidelines for Israel because a respectful home was crucial to their future success as a nation. The same is true for us today. God blesses our homes when we respect our mothers with words, attitudes, and actions.
If children don’t learn to honor parents, the disrespect spills over into their adult lives, affecting every other relationship. Soon an entire society is plagued with disrespect in homes, schools, and workplaces. This sounds like our generation, doesn’t it?
Love her unconditionally. We’re called to love our moms as God does.
Show her compassionate forgiveness. Since there are no perfect mothers, at times we’ll have to forgive them. Remember her gratefully. Thank mom this Mother’s Day for all she did for you as a child. But don’t let it end there. Nothing is more hurtful than feeling forgotten on her special day.
Treat her kindly. Let your Mother know that she is valued. Take time to listen attentively when she speaks, and help her out when she is in need.
Does your mother feel loved and honored? What can you do this Mothers Day that will bring a big smile to her face? Make it a habit to pray for her daily and contact her regularly. Cherish each moment that you have your mother, because you never know when God will call her home to be with him. Cherish her, love her and honor her for being your mother.
I thank God for my mother, the late Ida M. Brown, who raised eight children all by herself. She knew how to call on the name of her Lord and Savior to help meet her every needs for her and her family.
Happy Mother’s Day, mothers. Pray that your children, grandchildren and family will make this your special day to be truly a blessing for you. And to those that assumed the roles of a mother, may you be equally blessed as well.
Thank God that He knew exactly what He was doing when He created a mother!
(Min. Lois J. Brown is founder of The Prayer Faith and Healing Ministry).
