From The Podcast Episode
How can a Noble Man honor his mother in different stages of life?
With Mother’s Day coming up Sunday, we consulted an Expert Mom Panel and got some great tips. Our 4 experts include my very own mother, Vivian, my bride, Stacy, and Laurie and Christen who both work here in the Noble Warriors office.
We also got the results from our 1 Quick Question survey about Most Memorable Mother’s Day Gifts. Notice that most of them are not extravagant or expensive. I remember a gift I was most proud to give to my mom as a boy. It was a necklace – crafted from the lid of a Pringles can with a picture of me glued right to the middle of it. I remember bursting with pride as she would walk out the door to go to work as a school nurse, and my necklace would be hanging by that yarn chain around her neck.
Just like my Pringle-top jewelry, the most memorable gifts show mom she is loved, valued, and appreciated, and she gets a little time off from the details.
Exodus 20:12 gives us the command. “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
So what does that look like on Mother’s Day and really every day throughout the year?
The Younger Years
As we grow from childhood into adulthood, we first learn from our dads how to love and respect our moms. Dads, this is why it is so important to be that example of how to love and treat your wife. As I sometimes had to remind my 3 boys as they got older, “She may be your mom, but she was my wife first.” As husbands and dads, we set the bar for our children on how to show love, honor, and respect to our wives. That behavior goes down the line.
Our panel of moms agree that they feel most honored when they are valued and appreciated by their kids in all stages of life. For younger kids, this might look like handmade notes or gifts.
They need dad to really step in to set that example, teach, and help them in learning those new skills.
As They Grow
As our kids get older, they can take more initiative and responsibility. One of the traditions in the Young household is for the kids to take care of the meals on Mother’s Day, shopping and cleanup included. Our expert mom panel agrees that when the kids take the initiative and are thoughtful and attentive to mom, it’s a win.
For Adult Children
My mom Vivian says it best; it’s presence that matters, not presents. Our moms want to know we remember where we came from and know we still value our relationship. Moms appreciate it when you still ask what she thinks, seek wisdom from her, or just keep her in the loop with what’s happening in your life on a regular basis. Moms invest daily in our lives. Sometimes we need a reminder to verbalize that, notice the little things, and say thank you.
The commandment to honor our mothers and fathers has a blessing attached to it.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3
Favor is bestowed in households where parents are honored. Husbands, love your wives well in front of your kids, both when they are young and as they become adults.
Loving the women in your life in a way that reflects Christ and shows a lost world how to treat, respect, and love women is the best gift you can give her on Mother’s Day and every day.
