Courage & Faith of a Mother! 

“You will stand up in the presence of those with gray hair, and honor the presence of those who are old, and you will fear your God. I am the Lord.” (Lev. 19:32 ncb)

In the Bible the Hebrew root word for “showing respect” means “beauty,” with the real meaning being to “make beautiful.”  Simply put, we are commanded to ‘bring beauty’ to the faces of the elderly, to ‘light them up’ with a smile, to “make them beautiful.”  As a young boy, and only son of my mother, I admit to growing up in a day when two specific, respectful responses took place when an ‘older’ person entered the room. The number one response for me to have was to stand up in their presence when they first entered the room, and the second was immediately remove any hat I may have been wearing.

This Mother’s Day 2022, my mother has been with Jesus since her death in 2003 at the age of 93.  How thankful I am for a mother who went against my dad’s admonition of either aborting the baby or their marriage was over.  Thank you mom, I owe you much, and I hope and pray the life I’ve lived would be that which would make you happy you chose the decision you did.

Charles Swindoll offered this list of “I Owe You’s” which apply to other mothers and are long overdue.  May I suggest you stop after each one on this Mother’s Day, and consider the priceless values of the one who made your life possible—your mother.

“Dear Mom:

As I walk through my museum of memories,

I owe you—for your time.  Day and night.

I owe you—for your example.  Consistent and dependable.

I owe you—for your support.  Stimulating and challenging.

I owe you—for your humor.  Sparky and quick.

I owe you—for your counsel. Wise and quiet.

I owe you—for your humility.  Genuine and gracious.

I owe you—for your hospitality.  Smiling and warm.

I owe you—for your insight.  Keen and honest.

I owe you…for your flexibility.  Patient and joyful.

I owe you…for your sacrifices.  Numerous and quickly forgotten.

I owe you…for your faith.  Solid and sure.

I owe you…for your hope.  Ceaseless and indestructible.

I owe you…for your love.  Devoted and deep.”

What a wonderful day to honor and say thank you mom! As I reflect back, I too say, ‘Thank you mom’…for ALL these qualities and even for so many more!  I’m so thankful that today as this is written, that you’re enjoying the VERY BEST Mother’s Day possible, in your heavenly home!

Happy Mother’s Day … With our love!