We’ve all heard of the ‘Honor Your Mother’ verse. I’ve been a part of conversations where grown children are pondering how to honor their mothers – especially when they have a broken relationship – or their mothers are past on.  I’d like to share a tip – from the surrounding verses –

Ephesians 6: 1-3 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Biblos.com

So, In honor of Mother’s Day – I thought I’d share a bit of how this verse has been pondering around in my wee little head the last week. And – because my mom’s mother’s day card was carefully crafted last week and remains on my craft table. . . . .mostly because it is hard to write your whole heart out on a 4×6 card.

I was given the gift of a wonderful mother a month before I turned four. She has wiped my tears, bandaged my knee, sewn my dresses, sat through my trumpet concerts, listened to hours of my ponderings (You think I can type? You should hear me talk!), provided for any need I’ve presented, taught, spoken words of encouragement, and has been there for me for 36 years. Always a phone call away.  But HOW do I honor that?

Ask a dozen people in Coos County to describe my mom – and they will say Servant. Heart. Hard worker. Thorough.  Committed. Bible Lover.

She has saved from her youth to provide for her later years. She has taken care of her belongings to last through years of usefulness. She pays attention to the details.

She stays with a task until it is completed, and often is the last one to leave when work is to be finished. See a Need Fill A Need – and if you don’t see what needs to be done – ask questions.

She enjoys life – she finds joy in the garden, with her flowers and shrubs. She enjoys creating tastey dinners – a more beautiful table is hard to find at dinner time!

She spends time with her friends, enjoys a HOT. Did I say HOT? cup of coffee or soup.

At the party she is probably the one being the helper, slipping into the kitchen, stirring the pot, wiping the counter, washing a dish, preparing the desert.

One thing about my mom that has really started to add up  – She doesn’t complain. She just does. Never a mumbling or grumbling. An aching back, a tired knee, a headache. We do it, because it needs to be done. I can’t express enough how this most silent part of her has been an encouragement to me as I’ve become tired from having teens and preteens.

The number one thing she has taught me – is that you cannot have too much chocolate. Ever. Never!

(My Parent’s 36th Wedding Anniversary this past week!)

Train up a Child in the way She is to go and when she is almost 40 she will continue in the ways you taught her.  She will teach them to her children – and she will hold you up in word and in deed. She will discipline her children in the ways that she was taught. She will keep her house and her yard (almost ) like her momma. She will love the Lord and love her morning quiet times, and serve her family and honor her husband and train her children.

I am blessed, on Mother’s Day, and Every Day – to have a Mother that has given me so much to emulate – to follow after and to obey. Things have gone well for me – because of the path that you laid for me to obey. Thank you. – and – Always a shout out of thankfulness to my Dad, for finding such an amazing mom for me.