“Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” - Exodus 20:12

Today is Mother’s Day. Established in 1914 by President Woodrow Wilson, it was, or, at least, the mod-ern version, first celebrated in 1908 when Anna Jarvis held a memorial service for her mother at St. An-drew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia. This special day has been observed ever since. As a child, Mother’s Day was a time to dress up. My mother pinned red flowers (don’t remember what they were) to our clothes. She wore a red flower, too. So did my grandmother. It wasn’t until several years later that I understood the significance of either red or white flowers.

Mothers come in all shapes, sizes, and temperaments. Some had mothers who were loving and kind, but disciplined us when needed. Others had mothers who were not such. And still others were raised by single fathers, grandparents, or some other adult. I learned there is no such thing as a “typical mother.” All are different. And, at times, we saw in our friends’ mothers a more ideal image of what a mother should do, i.e., let us get away with whatever we want.

I’m grateful for my mother. She is still living, and will celebrate her 90th birthday on May 26. Her mind is not what it once was, and she no longer can walk but must be confined to a chair. But I still enjoy visiting with her. Just being in her presence draws me back to the wonderful days of childhood. I learned a lot from my mother, including how to pass a geometry test! Yes, when my father, who graduated college with a double major in chemistry and physics and a minor in math, would grow frustrated with his first-born son who didn’t like math, it was my mother who made me sit and learn enough to pass the course!

But mothers are more than just biologically related. Some, who had either absent – mentally or physical-ly – mothers, or mothers addicted to drugs or alcohol, found our mother figure in a grandparent, an aunt, a teacher, a neighbor, or any of many females in our lives. And, for some, their father became both fa-ther and mother. In Hebrew, the word am (pronounced “ahm”) meant not just a biological relationship, but any woman who played a significant role in a young person’s life.

Today is the day, too, when phone lines are flooded as people call their mothers. At least, it used to be. So if you’re going to call, call early! And, even better, if your mother, or the significant “mother” in your life, is still alive, visit her. And, if nothing else, give thanks to God for all the women who have played a role in forming you into the person you are today. See you on this incredible journey of discipleship!

Grace and peace,

Mike

May 14, 2017