Contributed by Larry Keefauver
In our family, we celebrate Mother’s Day by taking our mother out for dinner. What should people do who don’t have a good relationship with their mothers?
~ Loving Son
Spending quality time with Mom on Mother’s Day and other special days is always important. Affirming her and expressing gratitude and thanks for all she is and has done is so essential. Giving gifts and doing acts of service also express love and honor to our mothers.
But there’s more.
Honor recognizes and gives thanks for what God has done through another person. Scripture commands us to honor our parents. But what if our parents abandoned or abused us? How do we honor parents when they have not fulfilled their responsibilities to their children?
My wife, Judi, was adopted by wonderful Christians who cared and provided for her in amazing ways. But what about her biological parents? How does she honor them? She never met them and never knew the circumstances of being given up for adoption. Nonetheless, she has always honored them. The one thing she knew for certain that God did through them which blessed her, was to give birth to her and then release her for adoption. That became God’s way of caring for her.
If the only way you can honor your mother is to thank God for giving you life through her, then honor her for that. Never curse or hate your mother for wrong or evil things she may have done—instead, forgive her. Do not carry a wound, hurt or offense in your heart for life toward a mother who may have hurt you. Forgiveness brings healing into your life and into your relationships.
The Power of Honor
1. Honor your mother for having given birth to you.
This Mother’s Day, honor your mother. She gave you birth. Be thankful and grateful for that gift of life. Beyond that, honor your mother for any blessings she brought into your life—food, shelter, clothing, teaching, and imparting to you positive values and life skills.
2. Honor your mother by forgiving her.
Honor Mom by forgiving her for any wrongs or offenses you still carry in your heart from the past. You can release a great burden on your heart and life through forgiveness. If you cannot forgive her face to face, and she is still alive, write her, e-mail her or phone her. And ask her forgiveness for any hurts you have caused in her life. If she isn’t alive, then pray and ask God to remove unforgiveness you have in your heart. Forgiveness paves the way to honor.
3. Honor your mother by praying for her.
Finally, honor your mother by praying for her. Ask God to provide for her needs, protect her and bless her with loving relationships. Thank God for all the blessings you have received through her.
This Mother’s Day, if at all possible, connect with your Mom and honor her, as you honor God. She will be blessed … and so will you!
