Moms are often the unsung heroes. They work steadily, comfort endlessly and teach constantly. Deborah Haddix provides us with these verses that inspire us to honor the women we cherish:
13 Ways We Can Honor Mom
- Have Patience with Your Mom
Patience isn’t something that comes naturally to most of us. And it can be extremely difficult to summon it sometimes, especially when mom asks for the hundredth time how to program the DVR, can’t for the life of her figure out how to operate her cell phone, or seems to move slower than a tortoise. During these moments it does us well to remember God’s great patience toward us, as well as the patience Mom needed while raising us. Yes, take a deep breath and continue on!
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Colossians 3:12-13
- Forgive Her
No, your mom is not perfect. Yes, she made a few mistakes along the way. (She may have even made a lot of huge mistakes.)
One of the best ways we can show honor to our mother is to choose to forgive her. Make the determined choice not to “keep bringing her mistakes back up,” retaliate, or punish her. Instead, CHOOSE to shower her with the grace of God that He so freely gives to each of us.
Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Colossians 3:13
- Show Appreciation
It’s so easy to dwell on the mistakes. We’re all pretty good at fault-finding. But it shows love when we can look past the discomfort or the frustration and instead of complaining, find something to be thankful for. Show honor to your mom by building her up rather than tearing her down.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
- Keep Your Promises
Do what you said you were going to do. Following through on our promises declares to mom that she is a priority, and our demonstration of commitment and trustworthiness shows honor.
I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips.
Psalm 89:34
- Laugh with Her
Ecclesiastes 3:4 says, “A time to weep, and a time to laugh.” Don’t forget to laugh. It does the heart good – both hers and yours!
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
Ecclesiastes 3:2-4
- Reminisce
Make the time to share some fond memories with your mom. It brings her joy to hear the things you remember – from your viewpoint!
But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—
1 Thessalonians 3:6
- Ask Her Advice
We honor our mom when we ask her advice. The Bible constantly associates youth with folly and age with wisdom and tells us that those who have lived longer lives have generally accumulated greater wisdom. We may not always follow it, but it’s smart to ask.
The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.
Proverbs 20:29
Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.
Job 12:12
- Pray
When you pray for your mother, you demonstrate love by communicating that her concerns are important to you. Make that communication a little stronger, even, by asking how you can pray for her.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.
1 Timothy 2:1
- Take Some Time to Talk with Her and Be Sure to Say, “I Love You”
Never underestimate the power of those three little words. Hearing those words from you brings comfort, peace, and joy to your mama’s heart.
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you.
1 Thessalonians 3:12
- And When You Are Talking with Her, Listen; Truly Listen
Be present. We show honor by giving Mom our full attention which means listening intently without interrupting or thinking about how we will respond… or attending to other things like our phone.
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.
James 1:19
- Interact
Spend time with mom – her agenda, not yours. Enjoy an evening with her, go to lunch, involve her in your family activities, visit with her – whether she lives locally or miles away.
Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
2 John 12
- Contact Her Regularly
Honor your mom with regular and consistent contact. Text her, email, call, use Facetime or Skype, send notes and cards. These may be a minor inconvenience to us, but they mean a great deal to our mom.
Take Special Note: NOTHING, absolutely nothing, shows appreciation, love, or honor to your mother more than sitting down and taking the time to write out a letter – on paper!
See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
Galatians 6:11
- Esteem Her Publicly and Privately
This is a simple act that brings great joy and honor to your mom.
Give her credit when and where you can. In private say things like, “You know, Mom, I really appreciate that you taught me about putting people first,” or “… teaching me how to do laundry.” And when in public, speak well of her. As a special act of honor, you might want to refer back to #12 and esteem your mom by writing out a formal tribute, presenting it to her, and reading it aloud in her presence (suggested by Dennis Rainey of Family Life).
Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Romans 13:7
Of course, I understand that living in a fallen world – full of fallen people –, not all of us had the happiest of experiences growing up. Maybe Mom, for whatever reason, failed miserably, and you found yourself thinking these ideas would be difficult or even impossible to implement. If this is you, may I encourage you to seek spiritual help from a pastor or trusted counselor?
How we treat our Mom (parents) is a sign of our faith in Christ. It’s a gospel issue. Let’s pour a special little blessing on Mom this Mother’s Day.
www.deborahhaddix.com.