Do you love your mother?
Does she know you love her?
How does she know?
Have you told her?
Have you ever hurt her feelings? Have you ever apologized?
If someone asked you to describe your mother, how would you describe her?
Do you really know your mother, or do you simply go by what you think you know?
If someone asks, “Why do you love your mother?” and your answer is, “Because she’s my mother,” that’s not really an answer.
Many people say they love their mothers, but they have never stopped to think about what that love actually looks like.
How you love your mother says a great deal about the kind of person you are.
No matter how good—or how imperfect—you believe your mother was, she gave you life.
Because of her, you are here.
Because of her, you have the children, grandchildren, and relationships that have brought joy into your life.
Many people will do whatever is necessary to care for their mothers. Others take their mothers for granted until it is too late.
Then they live with painful words:
“If only I would have…”
“I should have…”
“I wish I had one more chance, one more day.”
The truth is that how you treat your mother often reflects your character.
What you sow is often what you reap.
One day, many of us will find ourselves in the same position our parents once were—older, needing help, hoping our children will remember the love and sacrifices we made.
Jesus gave us a beautiful example.
In John 19:26-27, while hanging on the cross in unimaginable pain, Jesus looked down at His mother and made sure she would be cared for.
Even in His dying moments, He was concerned about Mary.
Can you imagine what she was feeling?
Perhaps she remembered holding Him as a baby.
Teaching Him as a child.
Watching Him grow into the man He would become.
Yet while carrying the weight of the world’s sin, Jesus still showed compassion and concern for His mother.
What an example for us all.
So how do we love our mothers?
Love Her Verbally
Tell your mother you love her.
Not just on Mother’s Day.
Not just on holidays.
Tell her often.
Say, “I love you, Mom.”
Then tell her why.
Words matter.
Words heal.
Words encourage.
Never assume she knows.
Love Her Physically
Hug your mother.
Some people struggle to show affection.
But mothers need affection too.
She carried you for nine months.
She held you the moment you entered this world.
She comforted you when you were sick, afraid, or hurting.
Don’t just say hello.
Hug her.
Hold her hand.
Let her feel your love.
Love Her Patiently
Mothers are not perfect.
They make mistakes.
They say things we don’t always agree with.
They have flaws just like everyone else.
That is not a reason to avoid them or withhold your love.
Patience is one of the greatest gifts you can give another person.
Love Her Gratefully
Be grateful.
Your mother gave you life.
No mother is perfect because no person is perfect.
Yet gratitude recognizes the sacrifices she made, the worries she carried, and the love she gave.
A grateful heart sees blessings where others only see shortcomings.
Love Her Generously
Not just at Christmas.
Not just on Mother’s Day.
Take her out for coffee and conversation
Be There for Her all year long if you live fairly close by.
Listen to your mother. Not taking orders but listen when she falls.
I’m not talking about spending a lot of money.
If she is sick, take her to the doctor.
If she is struggling financially and you can help, help her.Pay a bill and surprise her.
If you truly love your mother, you will listen for what she wants and what she needs.
Most mothers will never ask.
Most mothers do not want to be a burden.
So keep your ears open.
Look around.
Pay attention.
Notice what she doesn’t have.
Notice what would make her life easier.
It doesn’t take much to make a mother happy. A new coffee mug, a warm hug, a phone call…….
Most mothers don’t want a new fishing rod, boat, a new car
Most mothers don’t want extravagant gifts. Because they know most people cannot afford that.
They want to be loved.
They want to be appreciated.
They want to know they matter.
Love Her Tenderly
Speak to your mother with tenderness.
Listen when she talks.
Even if you have heard the story ten times before, listen as though it were the first time.
Be sensitive to her feelings.
Encourage her often.
Tell her she matters.
Tell her she is loved.
Tell her she made a difference in your life.
As parents age, they often wonder whether anyone still notices them.
Make sure your mother never has to wonder.
Love Her Forgivingly
Many people blame their mothers for this or that.
Maybe there were hurts.
Maybe there were mistakes.
Maybe there were wounds.
But write this down:
There is never an excuse for refusing to forgive your mother.
Paul teaches us to forgive others just as Christ forgave us.
How many times has your mother forgiven you?
How many mistakes did she overlook?
How many times did she give you another chance?
We all grew up differently.
Some mothers had very little education but possessed tremendous wisdom.
Some could barely read.
Some were abused.
Some struggled with addiction.
Some worked long hours.
Some raised children alone.
Some carried burdens their children never knew about.
No matter what your mother’s life looked like, she loved you.
She did the best she could with what she knew and what she had at the time.
If your mother has passed away, honor her memory.
If she is still here, call her.
Visit her.
Tell her you love her while you still can.
Never be too prideful to forgive.
Someday you may need forgiveness too.
Love Her Devotedly
Do not bad-mouth your mother.
Defend her.
Protect her.
Support her.
Stand beside her.
Be loyal to her.
When others speak negatively about her, stand up for her.
A devoted son or daughter remains present even when life becomes busy.
Love Her Cheerfully
Your mother wants to hear about your life.
Tell her about your day.
Share your victories.
Share your joys.
Make her laugh.
Create memories.
Focus on bringing happiness into her life.
If your mother has passed away, remember her laughter.
Remember her stories.
Remember the good times.
Talk about those memories.
That is a gift that honors her.
Love Her Honorably
Ephesians 6:2-3 tells us:
“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.”
Be a godly son.
Be a godly daughter.
Live in a way that honors your mother.
One way we dishonor our parents is by living recklessly, ignoring their wisdom, treating them disrespectfully, or wasting the life God has given us.
Every day should be Mother’s Day.
Not because of gifts.
But because of love.
Honor.
Respect.
And if you are a husband, love your wife well.
Treat her with kindness and respect.
Your children are watching.
They are learning from your example.
They see how you speak to her.
They see how you treat her.
You are teaching them how mothers should be loved.
Never be too prideful.
Because one day you may hurt your own children.
Wouldn’t you want forgiveness?
That is what Jesus expects from us.
After all, He continually forgives us.
So if your mother is still here, tell her you love her.
Call her.
Visit her.
Hug her.
Thank her.
And if she is gone, honor her memory and thank God for the time you had.
Because one day, all that will remain are the memories, the lessons, and the love.
How to Love Your Mom
• Verbally
• Physically
• Patiently
• Gratefully
• Generously
• Tenderly
• Forgivingly
• Devotedly
• Cheerfully
• Honorably
Joyful-Echoes 