REFLECTIONS ON MOTHER'S DAY

REFLECTIONS ON MOTHER'S DAY

Mother's Day is a perfect opportunity to express our love and appreciation for our precious moms. The Bible tells us that honoring our parents is a top priority in God's eyes. 

"Honor your father and mother.
Then you will live a long, full life
in the land the Lord your God
is giving you."
              Exodus 20:1220:12 

"Honor your father and mother" 

(this is the first commandment with a promise),
"that it may go well with you
and that you may live long in the land." 
Ephesians 6:2-3  

Although we always want to be altruistic in our motives, God's  promises do contain rewards. It is clear from scripture that our attitudes and behavior toward our parents directly affect our longevity and well being. 

For some of us loving and respecting our mothers will come easily and naturally. Our Moms have earned that honor. They have sacrificed greatly for us and have worked hard to establish loving bonds with us.  However, for many in this day, affection and regard for our mothers may not come so readily. In fact, it may be down right painful. Abuse, willful neglect, abandonment, betrayal, and or an ungodly lifestyle on the part of our mothers may have wounded our spirits, arrested our development, or directed us into sin and destruction in our own lives. 

However, in such scenarios there is still much hope. Godly counsel, therapy, prayer, and meditating on the Word of God can help to release our personal baggage and heal our emotional devastation. God is in the restoration business and He can grant us the grace to forgive even the most abhorrent offenses.  

"... God's love has been poured out into our hearts 

through the Holy spirit, who has been given to us."  

Romans 5:5   

As we bring our past hurts to the Lord and pray for our mothers who have fallen short in their calling, God can reconstruct our relationships. There are times when the other person is not willing to change for the better. At those times we can seek God for wisdom. We can ask our Heavenly Father for creative ways to  show love and respect for our mothers without violating own own boundaries. 

As we approach Mother's Day, let us bless our moms in prayer for their health and happiness. Flowers, brunches, cards, visits, phone calls or personal service to our moms can all say, "I love and appreciate You." 

Let's also pray for ourselves that we will be mothers whom our own children can easily and willingly cherish and  honor. 

By Cathy Friberg