With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, many of us are thinking of our mothers and what they mean to us. Some of us still have the privilege of being able to hug our mother and wish her a happy day, while others of us have to hold fast to cherished memories as we dedicate this day to our special mom.

The Bible makes many references to mothers and the Lord says in Proverbs 1:8 that mothers teach us God’s law and it also says in Proverbs 29:15 that mothers are disciplinarians who instruct us in life and teach us right from wrong. In Isaiah 63:13 we learn that mothers are comforters, and in 1 Thessalonians 2:7 we know that mothers are filled with love for us. Luke 18:20 says that mothers are deserving of honor.

Many of us take our mothers for granted and just assume that they’ll always be there for us. When we’re having a bad day we direct our frustration onto them, and they sometimes become our personal scapegoats for our own sorrows. But they are forgiving and are filled with compassion for us, and we don’t see that we have hurt them and that they ache for us more than anyone else could.

We should never direct our anger or disappointments at them when life has been unkind to us because they don’t deserve the disrespect or the pain that comes from it. (Deuteronomy 27:16) Instead, we should honor our mothers and we should tell them just how much we love them – and not just because it’s Mother’s Day, but because we mean it.

I wrote a poem to my mother many years ago, and although she never lived to read it I’ll share it with you so that you can know that I had a wonderful, loving mother who helped to mold me into the person I am today. And perhaps in the words you’ll see the love you have for your own mother and realize how blessed you are because of her.

Dedication to Mom

I will always remember the love of my mom

Whose faith gave me hope for tomorrow.

She sacrificed her goals and pleasures

So mine would be free, void of sorrow.

I will always be proud to call her my mom

Whose virtues made her top of the chart.

She had nothing material to pass down to me

But her love is etched deep in my heart.

I will always cherish the work of my mom

Whose hands were worn and disgraced.

She worked day and night to build our home

But there was pride to be seen on her face.

I will always humble at the dress of my mom

Whose clothing was a worn scarcity.

Yet each curl of her hair was perfectly formed

And her walk was sure and with dignity.

I will always respect the life of my mom

Whose reflections were never her own.

She looked to God in her hour of despair

And in His mercy, He took her Home.

“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise…”  … Ephesians 6:2

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!