Today is the day that we give special honor to our mothers.  It is a day that is the source of some very interesting statistics.  For example, Mother’s Day is the busiest business day for Kentucky Fried Chicken.  It seems that giving Mom a break translates to fast food, and KFC is #1.  Another interesting statistic, that more accurately portrays our feelings on this day, is that Mother’s Day is the busiest holiday for phone calls.  (By the way, Dads, Father’s Day is the busiest day for COLLECT phone calls!)  In addition to these fun facts, we all know that Mother’s Day is one of our most special holidays each year.  There is something about the relationship between children and mothers that makes it so.

Why are we so devoted to our mothers?  It starts, certainly, from the fact that mothers give us life.  They are the ones who carried us in their own bodies for nine months, and then went through the pain of childbirth to bring us into this world.  Then, they are the ones who spent the most time with us through our formative years.  For many of us, “Mama,” or ‘Mom,” was the first word we ever spoke, and she was the one who gave us comfort through all the bumps and bruises of our youth.  This is not to say that fathers are not important, for they are, but rather to acknowledge that mothers are typically in the forefront of their children’s lives.

Why are mothers so important to us?  It is because their influence so deeply affects the way we grow and mature, and so greatly affects who we will become as adults.  In 1 & 2 Kings, the records of the various kings of Israel and Judah are marked by an interesting common feature.  As the account of each king’s reign begins, the scriptures tell us who his mother was.  In many cases, this is the only mention of that woman in scripture, but there is a sense that somehow the nature of the king and of his rule is closely associated with who his mother was.  For the good kings, this was a mark of esteem for the mothers mentioned.  For the evil kings, it was a mark of shame.

Perhaps this is why so much is made in the scriptures of women who were godly mothers.  One of the most often referenced is Solomon’s description of the worthy woman in Prov. 31:10-31.  Among her many virtues is the fact that she raised her children so that they later rose up and blessed her (v. 25).  This suggests that they were raised to be godly themselves.  Another godly mother of repute is Eunice, who instilled, with the help of her own mother, Lois, the sincere faith that sustained her son Timothy and prepared him to be a protege of Paul (2 Tim. 1:5).  Certainly these are mothers whom we would do well to emulate in the important business of raising our children.

Most of us will freely admit that it has been the influence of our mother that has had the greatest impact on who we have become.  This is especially true of those of us who are Christians.  A godly mother will do more to instill saving faith in her children than all the preachers and teachers they may ever meet.  This fact underscores how important it is for mothers to be godly, so their influence will lead their children to salvation.

It is important and appropriate that we honor our mothers today, and every day.  Their love, devotion, and godly example are some of the most significant influences in our lives.  There are not sufficient words to express our gratitude for our mothers, but may we simply say, “Thank You!”  Thank you, mothers, for all you do, and for all you have done.  God bless you and keep you, today and always!