By BRUCE GREEN
Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ
in Opelika
One of the greatest blessings God ever gives us is our parents (I recognize there are parents who aren’t blessings, but I’m not speaking of them other than to say it’s sad that they often get the lion’s share of attention). We come into this world completely vulnerable, totally dependent and aren’t able to make it completely on our own until (usually) sometime in our third decade of life. Who is it that feeds, clothes, supports and takes care of us? Well, you know the answer to that. So much of what we are is due to our parents and their unwavering presence and support in our lives.
As I look back on my years at home, I can see countless ways in which God blessed me through my parents: they taught me responsibility, disciplined me when I needed it, lived out their values, encouraged me in the ministry — the list goes on and on. And like many kids, there was a rough patch of rebellious years as I went from dependence to independence that pains me to think about even now. Fortunately, I didn’t stop there and eventually, I reached the stage of interdependence (none too soon for Dad and Mom, I’m sure).
I was blessed in that I had plenty of opportunities to tell my parents how much I loved and appreciated them, and I did my best to take advantage of them. As a parent, I’ve also been on the other end, and know that when one of our children tell me something along these lines … well, there’s not much in this life that means more.
Mother’s Day is this Sunday. You need to make sure your mother knows it. It’s good for you. It’s good for her. It’s good for all of us. And husbands, giving your mother the attention she so richly deserves does not exempt you from honoring the woman who is the mother of your children. This should have been covered in Husband 101, but I’m constantly amazed at the number of men who say, “I didn’t do anything for my wife for Mother’s Day — she’s not my mother.” If you really want to teach your children to honor their mother, then start by showing them how it’s done.
Years ago, Bear Bryant did a commercial for the phone company where he talked about how the coaching staff encouraged the players to keep in touch with their families. At the end, he asked, “Have you called your mama today?” Then Bryant added these words on his own: “I sure wish I could call mine.”
I hear you Coach, I hear you.
You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: a-taste-of-grace-with-bruce-green.com