'Thank You, Mother!'
by Pastor James Scarborough, Donalsonville Assembly of God

Proverbs 1:8-9 gives a powerful bit of instruction: "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck" (NIV). While we set aside one Sunday each year to honor mothers for their never ending labor of love, we should be thankful everyday for the positive impact that Godly mothers make on their children, families, churches, and communities. As Proverbs 1 rightly reminds us, we should never forsake the teachings of a Godly mother.

I am grateful and blessed in that both my mother and father are still alive and well. Even though we are separated by distance and do not get to see each other regularly, modern communications make it possible for us to stay in touch, and I still learn from them.

I have learned a lot of things from my mother over the years. That great educational process started very early in life and included very specific lessons about obedience. I recall on one occasion running from her when it would have been much wiser to run toward her! Take my word, it was a poor judgment call on my part to think that I could escape! It is amazing how quickly we can forget things that happened in the last five minutes but still remember vividly those things from decades ago. As a child, I remember wanting to die when she spanked me just so she would feel bad about it! I am glad for those episodes of correction that seemed so difficult then, for I now understand that she loved me enough to discipline me when I so desperately needed it.

I do not just remember my mother as one who corrected me, but also as one who displayed a great spiritual example. As Paul wrote to Timothy he stated, "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and I am persuaded, now lives in you also" (II Timothy 1:5). God blessed me with a mother who has "sincere faith" that I have seen expressed over the years through prayer and faithfulness to her Lord.

The role of motherhood receives far too little appreciation in our modern day. The truth is, we cannot do without the contributions do without the contributions they make to society through they make to society through loving and nurturing the loving and nurturing the children, and in many cases children, and in many cases holding the home together with little help from anyone else. On this Mother's Day, take time to be thankful for all the mothers that you know; let them know how truly important they are to you.