Men’s Place: Remembering Mom

Proverbs 6:20 My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.

Monthly Prayer:

"Lord, we lift up all mothers today, recognizing that their journey can be filled with both joy and challenges. When they feel overwhelmed, give them your peace. When they feel tired, give them your strength. When they feel alone, give them your comfort. May they know that they are loved and supported, both by You and by their children and families. We pray for their well-being and for their continued strength and resilience. In Jesus' name, Amen."

From Steve’s Desk:

Mom.

Ah, my mother.

This month includes the celebration of Mothers’ Day. As men, we were born, and that by our mothers. Without a mother we could not be. Our Lord and savior Himself was “born of a woman”, his mother in the natural realm. We need mothers. The bible instructs us to honor them, EX. 20-12. Proverbs instructs us to cherish and remember her teachings.

God loves Mothers. God wants us to love them. All of them.

Now, just like men and fathers, there are women and mothers who were not perfect or even evil. Rebecca showed favoritism towards Jacob over Esau that led to a rift between the brothers. Herodias manipulated her daughter to secure the execution of John the Baptist. And I am sure there are mothers of this world throughout history, who had hearts and behaviors somewhere in-between the two previous examples. But many mothers, by God’s accounts and standards, are good mothers, as far as mankind has the capacity to be good with the unction of God’s Holy Spirit. These mothers are held in high esteem and loved actively by their children, or so they should be.

I have no clue as to the relationship you have had or are having with your own mother, but I do know mine. It has lacked, fell terribly short and should have been different. Unfortunately, I cannot rectify or improve on our relationship as she has passed on. My opportunity to be a ‘good son” while she lived has vanished. If she were alive today, I truly believe we would be much closer than we were. Honoring and loving my mother with the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name, now must be done in word and deed without her presence. It is painful. She deserved the son I am now, then, and I did not give her that.

Now I must continue to be the best Christian man I can, unto God, who knows my regrets and shames of my past life. I know He has forgiven me just as His Word has said. My mother is no longer here to reconcile with. Maybe your situation is the same? Hopefully, as a grown man, your relationship with your mother is or was one of honor, respect and love.

It’s good to review and meditate on our relational experiences in prayer, to sort out our emotions and histories we had with our parents, living or not, unto God for healing, wisdom and strength. Long life is a promise of God to those who honor their parents. Mistreating our mothers then, has the adverse effect of taking years away from our own lives.

As a new man in Christ, a man of one wife and the incredible blessings I have with her, my stepchildren, grandchildren, and great grandchild, I want so badly to share my incredible faith and family with my mother. I waited too long.

Every Mother’s Day I celebrate her wonderful life; this woman who bore me, taught me, clothed me, fed me, advocated for me, was patient and loving with me, went to work to help my father provide for me and my sister. This strong, devoted, loyal, kind, loving, nurturing woman who died of cancer after two horrid battles, left a permanent mark on my life that actually led me ultimately to God Himself. Her name was Patricia.

Gentleman, if you have a mother alive today, cherish her, tell her you love her, thank her for EVERYTHING and hug her deeply. Cry if you must. Each day she is here on earth is an opportunity to honor her with what you say and do, while she can still see, hear, and experience it. Even if you have a mother who you feel is “less-than-good”, or even terrible, honor her in some way. God demands it.

So, in honor of you, my mother, Patricia Ann Camara, I write this letter, to the Glory of God.

To you, O’ Lord, I give thanks, repentance, and worship, for this woman you created to be my mother. She was an amazing blessing I did not deserve. I thank you God.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 ~Steven