“Stop dancing on your brother’s head, it is not kind” “Get the cat out of the mailbox.” “Hitting your uncle with a shoe is disrespectful.” “Put your shoes on before you go play in the snow.” Mothers give many instructions that seem so strange out of context but so undeniably essential to everyday living. They are the detailed directions that help us understand how to keep the most important ones. Not every person will be told to keep mailboxes cat free, but without doubt, there will be a unique directive spoken by each attentive mother teaching the importance of sympathy and caring for the weak.
Perhaps the most important command any mother can give was spoken by Jesus’ own mother, Mary. It is the only command recorded from her lips. In John 2:5, speaking of Jesus, she says “do whatever he tells you.” Here is a command that fits any context and should direct every aspect of our lives. It fit her context specifically but has universal application. We should all strive to do whatever Jesus tells us. This command is repeated in Scripture again and again. For example, Colossians 3:17 “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” No matter what foolish thing may be happening, godly mothers will redirect their children back to God’s will. Honor your mothers by heeding their godly directives and as Proverbs 1:8 says “do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” God bless godly mothers who will apply this command in every strange and unique context they may find themselves. Thank God for the wisdom and patience mother’s put into applying His word to every situation.