Honor Thy Mother

A man used to lecture on child rearing. He had been a professor for a long time and he had lectured through his single years and through his parenting years. Although, his lectures evolved over the years. When he was single, he started off calling his lectures, “The Ten Commandments for Parenting,” Then after his first child, he had to change the title to, “The Ten Hints,” for Parenting. After the second child, he decided to call his lectures, “The Ten Suggestions,” for Parenting. When he had his third child, He stopped lecturing. lol

A boy was riding his bike around the block. Around and around he went, crying as he pedaled. A policeman saw the boy riding and crying and said, “Son where are going?” The boy replied, “I’m running away from home!” The policeman looked around the street, and said to the boy, “Son, you haven’t even crossed the street yet. The boy lowered his head, and and said, “I know, my mom said never to cross the street without her!” lol

In my youth, I have been around some real mean dudes.

At the age of fourteen, I had already been shot at. My older brother Walter at the age of 15 had a gun put to his head and threatened with death if he came back to school the next day.

Several of my friends, were gunned down in broad daylight before I was 18.

We “WERE” Products of our environment. Both my brother and I, WERE no doubt examples of the environment.

Its funny because, it’s only in my later years have I experienced “Anxiety,” or Fear.

It’s almost as if, my mind is playing catch-up with my past. I mean, sometimes I would have nightmares involving a episode in my past, and wake up anxious and disturbed.

Where were these feelings of fear or caution back then? It was then that I should have been more aware of dangers, not now, that I am old enough to reflect upon them but I digress.

Old enough?

Both me and my older brother have quickly approached 50 years old.

Not long ago, as we were sitting around as brothers do reflecting on some of the events and people we knew, we sat back in awe at times that we both made it to this age.

How is it that we lived until now?

I even asked him once, “how is it that we survived all of what we were apart of?”

His answered stayed with me and is the focus of todays message.

Because we had a praying mother.

Without missing a beat, or as if it was planned he said, “Because we had a mother who prayed a lot for us.”

I sat silent and let that thought soak into my mind. And you know what?

I am convinced that he was absolutely correct! That must be it, and boy, did we ever keep her busy in prayer!

I am blessed beyond measure to still have my mother with me today. She is my Spiritual muse.

I won’t stand here and tell you she is perfect, although, she is to us!

No, but, she is human, and she has made her share of mistakes.

As well as everyone in here has done and still do, but to me, she is still my mother Me,

My 4 Brothers & 1 Sister are truly blessed to have had Such a woman to call mom.

Some people don’t have a good mom

Its unfortunate that some didn’t have a mom like ours.

Some people would have much rather they didn’t have a mother than to have the one they have, let alone have a praying mother.

That is unfortunate & my heart goes out to you if you are one of them.

But, today is a day we honor our mothers. Today is Mother’s day.

Now, I am not sure if those that elected this day chose to include all moms, or just the good ones.

But I want to use this opportunity to tell you a little about how God sees the role of “Honoring thy Mother”

We are commanded to Honor our Parents

In the Bible we are told explicitly to Honor thy Mother and Father

Exodus 20:12 CSB

12 Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

This command is reiterated in

Ephesians 6:1–3 CSB

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, 3 so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.

The first commandment with a promise

Paul adds the fact that this is the first commandment that comes with a promise.

If you do this, then this will happen.

If you Honor your father and Mother, “It will be well with you and you will long on the earth.”

Rebellious children were to be stoned and killed so, we can see that God takes the issue of honoring the parent very seriously.

So much so, that He felt it necessary to command it.

To mention it in His commandments for “God-following” lifestyle and He also added an incentive for doing so.

He doesn’t say, Do not kill and you will long on the earth etc.

Granted, it this commandment is easy for us who were blessed With nurturing, praying mothers.

It is extremely difficult for those who suffered under an awful one.

So, let me be clear, this commandment is not to justify her or to erase all of the offenses she may have caused.

But rather, it is honoring the “Place she holds” in God’s plan for your life.

Jeremiah 29:11–13 CSB

11 For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.

Thats right!

You see, she will have to answer for her place in your life.

And you will have to answer for how you honored her place.

Honoring the Father and Mother is honoring the triune nature of the Trinity, The Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, The Father, Mother, Child, etc.

This is what you are to honor. This is not dealing with her, it’s dealing with your obedience to the Word.

The Lord, is only concerned with Your walk with the Lord

Besides, we all know that children don’t come with individual instruction manuals.

There is a general instruction manual, its called The Bible.

Mothers are human too, they make mistakes.

Even the best ones. So, If you are a mother, or expecting to be so someday.

No matter what, in their eyes, you’re the best

Don’t fret over not being the best mother, don’t worry, because in your child’s eyes, you’ve already won best mother of the year to that child.

Even if you don’t get it right all the time

Even if you don’t get it right all or most of the time, you are always going to win best mother in their hearts.

Be a Praying Mother

No matter what you do. But in whatever you do, be a Godly Mother, be a praying Mother,

Most importantly remember that you were chosen by the hand of God to be Mom to those children.

What an awesome responsibility, especially if you have children like Me and my older brother. lol

And to that end, we celebrate you today!

And the memory of those who are already in heaven.

All of your hard work, all of your tears, all of your love, all of your prayers.

But most of all, because you are Mom!

Happy mothers day.

Happy mothers day.

May God richly bless you with long, healthy, fruitful lives.

Proverbs 31:25–31 (CSB)

25 Strength and honor are her clothing,

and she can laugh at the time to come.

26 Her mouth speaks wisdom,

and loving instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the activities of her household

and is never idle.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also praises her:

29 “Many women have done noble deeds,

but you surpass them all!”

30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,

but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

31 Give her the reward of her labor,

and let her works praise her at the city gates.