Honor Your Mother

Honor your father and mother so that you’ll live a long time in the land that God, your God, is giving you. Exodus 20:12 (MSG)

The title “Exodus”, based on the original title for the book, means “the way out” – that is, the way out of slavery in Egypt.  The title was chosen to summarize the content of the book, which chronically accounts the release of the Children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage.  First – God, under the leadership of Moses, delivered the Children of Israel out of slavery.  Then – God gives them laws – religious, social and political laws – for them to live by in order to stay free.  The beginning of these laws starts with what we commonly refer to as the 10 commandments.  One of which is that we are to honor our father and mother.

To honor means to give weight to, to hold as valuable.  So we are to hold our parents in high esteem and regard them as valuable.  This is a command – whether our mother or father deserves honor or not.  This command has no age limit or expiration date.  No matter how young we are or how old we are.  No matter if our mother or father is still alive or has passed away – we are to honor in life and in memory.  This month - in particular - we celebrate Mother's Day.

Today, let us go beyond one day and celebrate our Mothers (dead or alive) everyday from this point on.  If your mother is (or was) Merciful, Loving, Truthful, Thoughtful, Blessed and a Friend – honor her.  If she isn’t (or wasn’t), then decide to be Merciful, Loving, Truthful, Thoughtful, a Blessing and a Friend to her (or to her memory).