Mother's Day

Dan Kunz

Happy Mother’s Day!  Mother's Day was first celebrated in the United States on May 10, 1908.  It came about because of the efforts of Anna Jarvis.  According to Wikipedia, her mother, Ann Jarvis, organized a committee in 1868, to establish a special day “to reunite families that had been divided during the Civil War.”  Jarvis had the heart of a servant and worked tirelessly during the war to improve sanitation and health for soldier encampments during a typhoid outbreak.  Although she never saw mothers honored nationally during her life, Ann’s daughter fulfilled her mother’s wishes just a few years after her death. 

The history of this special day points out many of the reasons we celebrate it.  Uniting families is, perhaps, the most important task which moms can perform.  Whether it’s reminding siblings of upcoming birthdays or being the arbiter of fights and disagreements, our mothers try their best to keep families “on the same page”.  Mothers model for us what it means to serve others with no thought for recognition or repayment.  Making beds, packing lunches, nursing the sick, acting as chauffeur, and scrubbing the floor are just of few of the services which moms perform day after day, month after month, year after year.  Even honoring those who came before us is part of a mom’s opportunity to impact us.  My own mom and grandmother always took me along to the cemetery every year to place flowers and plants on the graves of deceased relatives, just before Memorial Day.  I learned early it was a good thing to do.

Speaking of relatives, a special group of mothers deserves mention on Mother’s Day.  Both my grandmother and my wife’s grandmother were “single moms”.  They were both widows who had to raise children by themselves.  Whether it’s through death or divorce, single mothers deserve our admiration, our support, and, if necessary, our help.  They are, literally, doing the job of two people.  Let them know you appreciate the difficult situation they’re in and offer whatever support they might need.  Even attending church can be challenging because of the many “intact families”.  It may be a reminder that something is missing.

Of course the most important reason for celebrating Mother’s Day is if we have the blessing of a Christian mom.  If someone grows up as a Christian, it’s most likely because of the efforts of that person’s mother.  Not to diminish the role of a faithful father, but many times Mom sees to it that Bible stories and prayers are part of the bedtime ritual.  Mom makes sure that we’re signed up for Vacation Bible School or Sunday School.  Mom won’t let us linger in bed on Sunday morning.  The ways which a Christian mother impacts the growing faith of her child leaves a lasting impression. 

God bless you, moms.  This day’s for you!  Proverbs 31:25-27 “Strength and honor are her clothing; she is confident about the future.  Her mouth is full of wisdom; kindly teaching is on her tongue.  She is vigilant over the activities of her household; she doesn’t eat the food of laziness.”