This is my first Mother’s Day without my mom. She passed earlier this year, and I’m deeply grateful I had the chance to express my love and appreciation to her one last time before she went home to be with the Lord. She wasn’t a perfect woman, but I’m convinced she was exactly the mom I needed. I hope you can say the same about yours.

There’s something right about setting aside a day to honor our mothers. But the truth is, honoring them shouldn’t be limited to a date on the calendar. God, in His wisdom, gave each of us the mother He ordained for us. For that reason alone, she is worthy of honor, not just today, but every day. And one of the clearest ways we do that is by living lives that honor the Lord. In doing so, we reflect well on the one He chose to bring us into this world.

When God established the moral foundation for the nation of Israel, He didn’t overlook the family. He included a clear command: honor your father and your mother. That wasn’t accidental- it was foundational.

As a tribute to our moms, I want to share a parable about motherhood by Temple Bailey, written in 1933 for Good Housekeeping Magazine. It captures, in a simple but powerful way, the journey many mothers walk.

A Mother’s Journey

By Temple Bailey

The young mother set her foot on the path of life and asked, “Is the way long?”

The guide answered, “Yes, and it is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning.”

But the young mother was happy, and she could not believe that anything could be better than those early days. So she played with her children and gathered flowers along the way. The sun shone on them, life was good, and the young mother said, “Nothing could be lovelier than this.”

Then came night and storm. The path was dark, and the children trembled with fear and cold. But the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle. And the children said, “We are not afraid, Mother, for you are near, and no harm can come to us.” And the mother said, “This is better than the brightness of day, for I have taught my children courage.”

Morning came, and there was a hill ahead. The children climbed and grew weary. But she said, “A little patience, and we will be there.” So they climbed, and when they reached the top, they said, “We could not have done this without you, Mother.”

And that night she looked at the stars and said, “This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude. Yesterday I gave them courage; today I have given them strength.”

On the next day came strange clouds, clouds of war, hate, and evil. The children stumbled in the darkness. But the mother said, “Look up. Lift your eyes to the light.”

They looked and saw above the clouds the everlasting light. It guided them beyond the darkness. And that night the mother said, “This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God.”

Days became weeks, weeks became months, and months became years. The mother grew old, small and bent, but her children were tall and strong. When the way was hard, they lifted her over the rough places.

At last, they came to a hill. Beyond it was a shining road, and golden gates stood open. And the mother said, “I have reached the end of my journey. Now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them.”

And the children said, “You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates.”

They watched as she went on alone, and the gates closed behind her.

And they said, “We cannot see our mother now, but she is with us still. A mother like ours is more than a memory- she is a living presence.”

____________________

Motherhood leaves a mark that doesn’t fade. For those of us whose moms are still with us, it’s worth taking the time to say what often goes unsaid. And for those of us who have said goodbye, we carry forward what they gave us- their faith, their strength, their example.

I’m thankful for my mom. And by God’s grace, I want to live in a way that honors both her and the Lord she trusted.