Once a year, every year, we pause to remember our mothers in a special way. It is Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day is a secular holiday, and I am not so sure that it was not invented by Hallmark or some flower shop. It is the day that the most telephone calls are made in America, especially long distance calls. Of course, those calls are all made to Mom. We like to go out to eat on Mother’s Day. The restaurants are crowded with people, but very quickly they empty out and life resumes in its everyday pace. It is a good practice, and a good day.

This is the first year of my life, the first year of our family’s existence without our Granny. We all miss her terribly. We all miss the pleasant joy of her company and her sense of humor. Mother’s Day will never be the same for us. But we all look ahead to the time when we will be together forever with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

There are things that I wish that I could say to Granny. I wish that I could tell her how much I love her just one more time. I hope she knew. Grandmother’s just seem to know, but they must be told because we need to tell them. Life is short and uncertain, and if you need to tell anyone you love them, do it today, while you still have them.

There are some passages in the Proverbs that I would like to put forward. Most of them speak for themselves, but I will interject a thought or two when I can’t help myself.

"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head, And chains about thy neck. My son, if sinners entice thee, Consent thou not" (Prov. 1:8-10). Besides being a command from God, listening to our mothers is wise because their advice comes from a heart of love that only wants the best. Often, my mother would be disapproving of the company I kept. I should have listened better, because Mother could "spot ‘em," and she didn’t want me to have anything to do with bad influences.

"For I was a son unto my father, Tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother" (Prov. 4:3). Your mother will always love you even if she disapproves of your life. She wants to take your side, but she wants you to be right – first. She wants what is best for you.

"My son, keep the commandment of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thy heart; Tie them about thy neck. When thou walkest, it shall lead thee; When thou sleepest, it shall watch over thee; And when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee" (Prov. 6:20-22). The best protection from the evil that befalls men is the word of the Lord. Falling right in behind is the advice of the parent, especially the mother that lead, protects, and instructs in the ways that are best for this soul.

"The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother" (Prov. 10:1). Don’t make your mother sad by not being the kind of child she can be proud of. God knows and you will answer! "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God" (Psalms 53:1). Atheism is foolish because it starts with a false conclusion before the evidence is considered. A man who lives like there is no God is worse than one who doesn’t believe, and is the heaviness of his mother.

"A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother" (Prov. 15:20). To despise is not always to hate, but sometimes it means to take for granted or undervalue. When a son behaves foolishly it is often because he disregards the wise counsel of his mother.

"Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, And despise not thy mother when she is old" (Prov. 23:22). Mothers, like all people gain wisdom as they age. But their love grows, also. To disregard them, their love, and their wisdom is foolish.

"The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; And he that begetteth a wise child will have joy of him. Let thy father and thy mother be glad, And let her that bare thee rejoice. My son, give me thy heart; And let thine eyes delight in my ways" (Prov. 23:24-26). Parents are happy when you are happy. You are happy when you are right with God. That is the greatest joy of teachers and parents. "Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth" (3 John 4).

"Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise), that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth" (Eph. 6:2-3). How does one honor his mother. Setting aside a day is a small thing. One honors his mother by obeying his God, heeding the love of her advice, and by saying ‘Thank you’ and ‘I love you’ when the time arises. He thinks of her, and is attentive to her needs and emotional well-being.

If you still have her, call your mother and tell her you love her, not just today, but in a couple of months. And remember to honor her. She is your mother.