September 11, 1931
While the day, 9/11, resonates with every American, the year, 1931, holds significance to only a few. It was on that day almost 92 years ago that the person who has had the most influence on my life, hands down, came into the world. It was on that day that Elsie Swales, my mom, was born to a carpenter and a school teacher. The youngest of four girls, not knowing at the time that two brothers would follow putting her into the middle of six kids. She herself would become the mother of 5, one of which died prematurely before ever coming home from the hospital. And it was through her influence on her family, specifically those 4 kids and the 12 grands that would follow, that her influence on the world would have its biggest impact.

The calendar says that Sunday is Mother’s Day. God has said that one of the 10 principles by which every person should seek to live their life is, “honor your father and mother.” 

I see my mom’s influence in the lives of my brothers and sisters. The things that she taught us, the values she passed on. 
Like – Family first. She always said that being a mom was the most important job she would ever have. She would do anything for family. And that went beyond us four kids. Nieces and nephews were often at our house because family comes first.

Or Like – Winning isn’t everything but it is something! I got my competitive nature from my mother. If you were going to do something might as well strive to be the best at it – or at least give it your best! Her response to failure was to learn from it and try it again!

Or, one of my favorites growing up, Dessert is a priority. My Mom baked – cookies, cakes, pies and she was really good at it. Every evening meal had dessert. You always ate those vegetables because you knew something good was coming next! And no! Jello is not a dessert!

That was my Mom. But I have come to learn over the years how fortunate I am because not everyone had a godly mother like I did that loved them unconditionally and baked cookies on a regular basis. And even though she wasn’t perfect, she is easy to honor. But when God gave Moses those commands and told us to honor our mothers, he doesn’t mean only the honorable ones. That command does not speak to the character of the mother but the character of the son or daughter. What I have found in watching my own mother honor my grandmother is that the best way to honor them is by how you live your own life. Conduct your life in a way that would bring your mother honor – a life she would be proud of. And that is not dependent on a mother’s character but on the character of the child!

Proverbs 17:25, “A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.”
Proverbs 15:20, “A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.”

The foolish life of a child (age doesn’t matter) is a cause for grief, bitterness, lack of joy for a parent. There is no honor in a fool’s life. Psalm 53:1, “The fool says in his heart there is no God.” Which seems to mean the wise says in his heart there is a God. But my Mom also taught us that there is a difference between knowing God exists and having a relationship with God. Because the next verse of Psalm 53 says that God is looking down from heaven to see if any one is seeking him. The wise child, the one who seeks after God, is the one who brings joy to a parent.  Honor isn’t about the character of the parent but the character of the child.

So, how will you honor your mom this Mother’s Day? But more importantly, how will your life bring her honor the other 364 days of the year?

“Love you, Mom!”