God is chiefly concerned about our attitude toward our parents. He even made sure that the command was included in the top ten. It was either the fourth or fifth commandment, depending on the denomination you listen to. But we can say that it is not only in the top ten but one of God’s top five commandments. Exodus 20:12 says, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” As we approach Mother’s Day, I’m reminded that, as a son, I have not been that good at honoring my mother. My sons, on the other hand, have always been great at honoring their mother on Mother’s Day. They would often write their own Mother’s Day Cards. I wish I had kept all of them, but unfortunately, we don’t always think things are going to be important at the time they are happening. But I have a few of them.
Chuck 3rd was ten years old when he wrote this one. “MOM, I got the greatest one of all. Better than the rest. She comes whenever I call. She’s better than the best. Whenever I am hungry, whenever I get hurt, she’s always there to feed me and pick me up from the dirt.”
JD was eight years old when he wrote this one. “Dear MOM, You are a better mother than the rest. But everyone says theirs is best, too. But that’s only because they haven’t met you.”
I don’t have any cards that I made for my mom on Mother’s Day, and I’m sad about that. I know we made some for our moms in school, but for some reason, we didn’t keep them. However, I do have one Mother’s Day card written by my dad in 1925, when he was 11 years old, to his mother. It just says “Mother’s Day” and has hand-drawn flowers all over it. My dad could draw pretty well, and these flowers are well done. You can see the detail he went into for each pedal. I remember my dad talking very favorably about his mother a lot. She died in 1936, so I never got to meet her. The more I learn about her, the more I admire her.
God even added a promise to his instructions regarding our parents. He promises that honoring them will be good for us. “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12). This promise seems to relate to the Israelites specifically regarding their control and possession of the land of Israel. But Paul adds to this promise as he repeats the instruction to believers in the New Testament. He applies the promise to all of us. Ephesians 6:1-3 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 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.”Paul adds to this in Colossians 3:20: “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.” All of God’s commandments are given for our benefit, but God especially highlights this one for the blessings it brings to the individual, the family, and society in general. Happy Mother’s Day, Ladies!