Mother's Day, 2026

Proverbs 31 contains the classic “Excellent Wife” passage, describing what Scripture considers a good wife (Prov 31:10-31). She’s not, frankly, what anybody expected. Oh, sure, lots of her characteristics are expected, but when it describes her providing food and buying fields (Prov 31:16), there is a segment of us that cringe. You know—“A woman’s place is in the home.” Apparently not always the case. When it says she provides “portions for her maidens” (Prov 31:15), it can be jarring for some … the lady of the house feeding the servants. The image isn’t of a quiet slip of a girl, but a strong woman (Prov 31:17) selling merchandise (Prov 31:18) and standing against the elements (Prov 31:21). She doesn’t weaken her husband with her strength (Prov 31:23) and teaches others (Prov 31:26). Not quite the “model woman” in everyone’s mind, but she is in God's mind.

It’s Mother’s Day and I find myself drawn today to the climax of this particular text.

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears YHWH is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. (Prov 31:28-31)

I know mothers like that. I have a mother like that. My wife has been a mother like that. Their children rise up and “call her blessed.” These women fear the Lord. They “surpass them all”. I’m particularly interested in the part that says, “A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” because the women I know like that are humble and would be embarrassed. But it’s God who says they should be, so, today, I stand up with others to give the proper praise to the women of this world who are mothers, serving their husbands and children and those around them, with strength and diligence and dignity. For them I say also, “Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates” ... especially today.

Made With Love

It's Mother's Day, the day we've set aside to recognize the importance of mothers in the lives of children of all ages -- each and every one of us. (Ironic, I think, that we're celebrating Mother's Day in the midst of a heated debate about the right for mothers to kill their babies.) I am particularly grateful to God for the mother He gave me. I was literally fashioned by my mother in the sense that she bore me into this world. Her genes and my father's genes merged and produced ... me. But far beyond the merely physical, my parents made me. They shaped me. They were formative. And, as in most people of my generation, Mom had more influence than Dad simply in terms of the quantity of time spent. She was a homemaker and he was a breadwinner and I saw more of her than him growing up. Thus, in that sense, Mom, in particular, made me.

I cannot tell you how many people have interacted with me for a time, then met my mother, and come away saying, "Oh, now I know why you are like you are." My life is full of "Mom." She is often in my illustrations. "My mom always used to say ..." or "My mom taught me ..." or "My mom lived this in front of me." My mother grew up in a "less than optimum situation" (in quotes because where God puts people may appear "less than optimum" but never really is) with a younger sister, a single mother, and a string of "stepdads." She moved around a lot and, one day, got invited to church by a family in her latest neighborhood, where she met Christ quite by "accident." At that point my mother was "radically saved." She changed without being able to explain why. She hungered for the Word and sought fellowship and pursued Christ. To this day, that has been her arc.

I am what I am largely because of my mother. She taught me that love was a choice rather than a mere feeling. She demonstrated godly obedience with joy. She lived "more of Him and less of me." She taught primarily by practice and supplemented with words. I learned the importance of discipling others because my mother regularly discipled others. I saw how crucial Scripture is because my mother has always been daily in the Word. I grasped the critical trust in God amidst difficulties because my mother lived on trusting God amidst difficulties. And that's a short list.

My parents certainly made me, physically and spiritually. Of course, we all know that's not perfectly true. My parents have been the tool God has used to make me. My dad has been significant, but my mom has been more so. For both, I am grateful. For my mom, especially today, I am thankful. I did not make me. God did. He did it through my parents. He particularly shaped me through my mother. He shaped me with love using a loving mother. I have been made with love.

Mother's Day, 2021

Paul wrote, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), 'that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.'" (Eph 6:1-3) A command with a promise; how nice. But ... do we do it?

It's interesting that Paul seems to equate "honor" with "obey." Is that a virtue anymore?

Paul told Timothy to treat older women as mothers (1 Tim 5:1-2). That's interesting. Apparently Timothy knew how to treat a mother. It would appear that Paul believed that treating women as mothers was something that could be easily understood. "But what about the kid that grew up with a lousy mother?" At first glance, that would seem to be a problem, but I would argue that all of us have an idea of what a good mother would be like, so even without the experience, we'd be able to treat older women as mothers and do it well.

I am not one of those who grew up without a good mother. I am one of the blessed who had a scintillating example of a godly mother. She taught us what we needed to know, urged us to be godly, and imitated Christ for us. She taught her daughters how to be godly wives just as our mother has been to our father. That has worked out well (as we knew it would). We boys learned to be gentlemen and to honor people everywhere, especially women. That, too, has worked out well. My mother immersed us in the Word and in the truth, and that has worked out very well.

I am indeed one of the most blessed when it comes to my mother. So I'm not as concerned about what to buy her for Mother's Day. I want to be sure that I am honoring her carefully and consciously all the time. And I pray that my daughter can become that kind of a mother to her kids. My mother fulfills the promise of Proverbs 31 -- "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." (Prov 31:28)

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.

Mother's Day, 2020

My mother has an enviable reputation. She is known as a godly woman. I know people who have met her and tell me, "Be sure to talk to your mother about this stuff. She knows the Lord." I will share a prayer request with some and they'll say, "Tell your mom, too. She's a good person for prayer." Someone told me the other day, "How did you come to this problem in your life? Your mother is such a godly woman."

I was raised in a Christian home. I mean that in the very real sense, not the nominal sense. My mother and father actively love God; they have as long as I can remember. Since my youth my mother has discipled young women because, shock of shocks, she figured that was what Jesus told us to do. Since my youth she has taught ladies' Bible studies because that is what the Spirit has gifted her to do, so she has. In my home I was Bible-bathed. My mother urged us to read Scripture and to memorize Scripture and to know Scripture. I remember as a youngster I complained once that I didn't want to sit in church because I didn't understand the sermons. (I grew up in a time when parents took kids into church with them rather than farming them out to "youth ministries" that, I contend, separates rather than builds up families.) My mother was wise. "Yes," she said, "I can see that. I'll tell you what. Here's a pad of paper and a pencil. When you hear a word in the sermon you don't understand, write it down and we'll talk about it later." Clever girl. She not only got me to stay in the church service listening to adult sermons; she made me pay attention.

The truth is clear. God made me. He told Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." (Jer 1:5) David said, "In Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." (Psa 139:16) God made me. But because of the grace of God, His chosen method to accomplish this was my father and mother. My mother birthed me. In the most direct sense, my mother made me. She made me physically. She was critical in forming my thinking, my beliefs, my character. My parents -- especially my mother -- built in a great love for God's Word. My mother, in daily interactions with her children, introduced us to the God she knows personally and encouraged that in us. She still does.

I'm grateful to God for that. Today, I'm grateful to God for my mother for that. I thank God for having been given a mother I dearly love and appreciate, a mother who formed me in the best possible way, a mother who modeled godliness to encourage godliness. God uses instruments, and my mother has been an incredibly useful instrument in His hands and in my life. Thank you, Mom. 

I Remember Mom

I've written on more than one occasion about my mother. I've told how blessed I am to have her, how grateful to God for giving me this woman as my mother. Perhaps I'll share, on this Mother's Day, some of my memories that so brightly illustrate what a joy it is to have Mom as my mom.

Mom has a song for everything. She has a reputation for that. Her grandkids have asked, "Grandma, do you have a song for everything?" Okay, maybe not everything, but pretty near. They come from sources like hymns and songs she sang in her choir years all the way through old commercials. I often find odd word connections -- puns and otherwise -- in casual conversation; she finds song connections.

She and I share a special bond. I don't think it's very common, actually. We love to discuss theology, doctrine, Scripture ... all that good stuff. One thing that struck me from my youth was her devotion to the Word. We would talk about a concept or principle and she would pull out her Bible which she had had for as long as I could remember and tell me, "I just read about this recently." She would indicate, "It's in ..." and tell me the book of the Bible that she had been reading and then indicate, "It's on this side of the page ... about halfway down." Because she knew it. She really knew it. Her relationship with Christ is important, and the things He wrote to her are integral to that relationship.

Mom spends time with the Lord every day. Most of them include reading the Word and taking notes. But Sunday is different. To her, it's her "Grateful Day". She will make lists of what she's grateful for. Sure, there are things like "health" and "family" and the like, but she is intent on going deeper. She's grateful for air, for running water, for hot water, for toothpaste. She asks, "If God were to take away tomorrow the things for which you didn't thank Him today, what would you lose?" Giving thanks to God is extremely important to her. If you ask her how she is, she'll say, "Grateful."

Mom would never be admitted into the ranks of Feminism, not because she's not feminine and not because she's not pro-women, but because she derives her views on women -- who they are and what is in their best interests -- from Scripture. She actually appreciates (recognizes the worth of) the texts that say that the husband is head of the wife, seeing it as a good thing that she has God's protection by means of the husband He gave her. She is a teacher, but refuses to teach men because Scripture says that's not a good thing for men or for women and she draws her views and values from what God says. I really like that in my mother.

This may strike you as odd, but one of the things about my mother that I have always found most endearing is her repentance. I don't know if I said that right. She will catch herself in a mistake, an error, even a sin. Maybe it's a moment of pride or an improper attitude. Her response to herself is not self-defense or "shrug it off". Her response is dismay. Because, you see, being pleasing to the Lord is what she really cares about. If that means that she doesn't get to control a situation or it doesn't come out the way she hoped, that's okay as long as God is honored.

Mom is diligent about prayer. She has triggers. When she brushes her teeth she prays about these people and when she showers she prays about those people and when she eats she prays about these things and when she walks she prays about those others. "There is so much to pray about," she says, "that it helps to build patterns." I think she is the closest person I know to "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thess 5:17)

This is just a small sample. There is a lot I remember about my mother, from when I was quite young (I've known her most my life, you know) to just last week when we visited. My mother makes it difficult to empathize with people who had bad mothers simply because I've had a great mother. And I will be quick, as she would, to say that it isn't her; it's God. God has been gracious to me in His choice for my mother and gracious to her in shaping her into the mother she is and I am grateful.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.

Boys Need Moms

Everybody knows that boys need dads. They need the male example. They need the influence of a loving male in their lives and in their homes. Well, everybody that is thinking clearly. And everybody knows that daughters need mothers. Like boys and their dads, girls need the influence and example of a loving mother. In both cases, they will perceive that they are supposed to be the boys their fathers are or the girls their mothers are.

Conversely, the epithet "mama's boy" is not intended as a compliment. Studies have shown that boys raised by a single mother have more adverse affects to deal with than girls. Face it. A single mom is certainly better than no mom, but mothers cannot teach their sons to become men.

So, it would seem like the only need for a two-parent, mother-father household in terms of the children would be if there were boy and girl children. And, as it turns out, that would be wrong.

Sons have specific needs that mothers are uniquely qualified to meet. From their mothers they tend to learn affection, compassion, nurturing, and encouragement. From their mothers, sons learn what women are like, how to understand them, respond to them, appreciate them. Dads teach different things. Fathers teach confidence, and strength; mom's teach comfort and caring. As it turns out, studies indicate that a primary problem source for wayward young men is a mother problem, not a father problem. And apparently it's not as true for girls. Boys need moms ... good moms.

It's Mother's Day, of course, so I think this is a good place to say thanks. Kids don't pick their parents, so my first "thank you" is to God. He chose a spectacular mother for me. I have not always been a "good son". (How was that for some serious equivocation?) I needed (need) a special mother who had the care and concern and love to give me as well as the strength to tolerate me. I needed a mother who was more thoughtful than a "typical mother" because I was willing to ask my mother all sorts of things (still do) and she had to not only answer, but do it without embarrassment. (You know, when they hesitate or blush, you don't feel like asking "those" kinds of questions again, whatever "those" are.) My nature and my life choices required an unusually good mother. God gave me that.

I'm a grandfather now, but that didn't make my mother a great grandmother. She has always been a great mother, and, as time unfolded, a great grandmother. I suppose, then, that would make her a great great-grandmother. I still enjoy a uniquely rich and fulfilling relationship with my mother and I thank God and my mother for that.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.

Mother's Day, 2014

It's Mother's Day. I have to talk about my mother. No, I don't "have to" because it's required. I have to because she is so remarkable.

It is often hard to measure the influence people have had on one's life. We have been influenced by acquaintances without knowing it. Passing remarks, even from strangers, can produce effects of which we aren't even aware. Factor in memory -- "Now who was it that taught me ...?" -- and determining influential people in your life can be difficult.

In my case, it's not. Without hesitation I can say that the most influential person in my life has been my mother. Now, to be sure, most of us would have to say that. Mothers are generally a major influence in anyone's life. Mine, however, has been a profound influence.

It was my mother that taught me as a child that obedience was better than sin, that truth was found in the Word, that love was something more profound than warm feelings. She taught me the truth, and she didn't simply tell me; she lived it. I'm reminded of Timothy, whose mother, Eunice, taught him a sincere faith by living it in front of him (2 Tim 1:5).

Proverbs 31 speaks of an "excellent wife" (Prov 31:10-31). She is precious (v 10), trustworthy (v 11), does good and not harm (v 12), works with her hands (v 13), provides food for her household (v 15), is strong (v 17), industrious (v 18-19), prepared and unafraid (v 21). I like this particular phrase: "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come" (Prov 31:25). These all describe my mother.

Beyond the direct efforts, my mother influenced the rest of my influences. My mother's words and example influenced my choices of teachers and preachers, friends and the ones I did not have, the courses of action and thought processes. She taught me to think, to be responsible, to be courageous, to be honest. She taught me to be prepared to give an answer, but with gentleness and respect. These, in turn, directed other parts of my life, deciding who else would be allowed to influence me and who would not and what else I would accept as truth and what I would not.

There is one aspect that is interesting to me, one thing my mother never taught me. She never taught me what it was like to have a dysfunctional family life. I don't know by experience what it is like to be abandoned, unloved, or spurned by parents. When I was good, my mother loved me. When I was bad (and I have been very bad), my mother loved me. When I said wise things, she praised me, and when I said foolish things, she lovingly corrected me. (I like that I put that in past tense, as if I don't say foolish things anymore and she no longer has occasion to correct me. It isn't true, but I like it just the same.)

I can't tell you how many times I've known people who, upon meeting my mother, have said, "Oh, that's where you get it!" I think that's an example of my mother's influence. She didn't simply teach me by word, but by deed, and I didn't simply learn information, I learned character. I am what I am because of my mother first.

There is no bigger influence in my life than my mother save that of Christ Himself. She was the one most present in my formative years, the one most forward in teaching me the truth, the one most obvious in living a visible life as a follower of Christ. In my later years she is not only my mother, but a dear friend and respected counselor. Many people have been good influences on me, but she has been the one of the two primary (the other being my father), so she has been the biggest influence. Of the Proverbs 31 "excellent wife" it is said, "Her children rise up and call her blessed" (Prov 31:28). This child rises up and calls his mother blessed. Happy Mother's Day, Mom.

Mother's Day, 2013

I was blessed from birth with a remarkable mother. Not only has her defining characteristic for my whole life been her sincere devotion to Christ, but she has showered upon those around her a veritable treasure trove of wisdom. To this day I recall and even apply many of her wise quotes, from those on common everyday life to spiritual truths.

I know, for instance, that bananas are best when they are flecked with brown and have a golden hue, and that you should never put bananas in the refrigerator. Why? Because she used to sing us the Chiquita Banana song and it was right there in the lyrics.

She has always enjoyed quoting Alice from Alice in Wonderland by assuring us that "One never knows ... and if one does know, one can't be quite sure." It really is a good position to take.

Some of her sayings exhibit keen insight into human nature. For instance, she is fond of saying, "'Yes, but' means 'No'." How true! We will even hand that to God, won't we? So, as an example, we might read, "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it" (Pro 3:27) and realize we're not doing that. And we'll "agree" with God ... with stipulations. "Yes, but ..." and we'll give the reasons why we cannot or will not do it now. Which is a "no".

Now, as a person who is concerned (as, I believe, most human beings are) about what other people think of you, my mother had this bit of wisdom to offer: "You wouldn't be so concerned about what people thought of you if you knew how rarely they did." As it turns out, most people are so self-absorbed that they rarely do have the time or inclination to take notice of you. If they do, it is a fleeting notice. And if, as the vast majority of folks do, you don't stand out (because that's the definition of "normal"), it's very likely that you will not often be thought of very often at all. So don't waste too much time trying to be liked or worrying about what other people think of you. That attention might be better spent on thinking about what God might think of you.

She has offered concise statements that help clear up confusion in life. When we were young and would complain that we weren't getting our fair share -- "He's doesn't have to do as much work as I do" or "His piece of cake is bigger than mine" or some such -- she would offer this little piece of wisdom: "Who ever told you that life was fair?" And it's true! If you are going to go through life demanding nothing but fair and complaining when it isn't, you will go through life demanding and complaining.

One of the sayings for which she is famous requires a back story. A part of the family was eating out and my parents asked my younger sister what she wanted for desert. "I want lemon meringue pie." The waiter said, "We don't have any more lemon meringue pie." "Okay, so what do you want now?" "I want lemon meringue pie." My mother is fond, then, of saying "We don't have lemon meringue pie" when people express a demand for that which can't be had. "I want world peace." "We don't have lemon meringue pie." We very often in life get bogged down in desire and demand for things that just don't exist. The presidential election cycle of last year would be a prime example. "From the group of candidates offered on the ballot, we want to elect a good leader who can solve the large problems our country is facing." "We don't have lemon meringue pie." (By implication, then, "Get over it and move on.")

One that hit home in both good and bad ways was this one: "You know what you believe by what activates you." For the believer, there is often a concern about doubt. "I believe; help Thou mine unbelief." That kind of thing. But humans are interesting creatures in that, although we may say and even think that we believe or don't believe something, we will always act on what we truly believe. I may tell you there's a bomb under my desk, but if I don't act on that claim, you can be pretty sure I don't really believe it. So this might be comforting to the believer struggling with doubt while still working at being more Christ-like. That's good news. For the believer who claims to believe and, in fact, lives a life of sinful abandon, this is not good news and you need to check your faith because your actions suggest you believe something different than what you're telling us or yourself.

My mother has been a veritable font of wisdom, without exaggeration, from keeping bananas to my daily walk with Christ. From pithy and wise sayings to a genuine She is a constant joy, my "go-to" person with questions on biblical points, and a blessing from God. It seems a day doesn't go by that I am not touched by her positive influence in my life, and I am deeply grateful for her.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Mother's Day, 2011

It's Mother's Day here, and I would be remiss if I didn't write a word about my mother. I've mentioned her before, but she deserves far more than "honorable mention". The problem, of course, is that I don't know how to give her proper credit ... because she deserves so much credit.

Now, to be fair to my mother, she would likely disagree. The person that she is has been shaped by her relationship with Christ. Her delight is in the Lord. Her deepest desire is to spend time with Him. Whether she is reading the Word or teaching other women or sharing with family and friends or whatever she does, she seeks to do all for the glory of God. The work of Christ in her life -- evident to anyone who knows her -- would be the that which should be credited. If she has anything about which to boast, let it be the cross of Christ. I'm sure that would be her position.

Here's the thing, though. When you run into someone who so loves the Lord that they allow Him to shape their thoughts, their actions, their lives, their entire reality, you cannot help but be impacted by such a person. So it is with my mother. Whether she is aiming to express to you what God says or simply living the Christian life in front of you, the present example of someone glorifying God on a daily basis cannot go unnoticed and will not be ineffective. Imagine, then, my experience of growing up with that kind of mother and you might begin to see how blessed I've been.

Someone told me the other day that my blogs in April were some of the best I've done for awhile. Want to know a secret? That's largely because of my mother. I had the privilege of spending a couple of weeks with my parents in March and the conversations we enjoyed sparked new life and new thoughts in my writing. You see, my mother encourages me in word and deed to be closer to Christ than ever before. I know of no one with more passion for Him, no one with more focus on Him. And the chance to share in that is motivation itself. What better could be said of any mother than "She makes me want to live closer to Christ"?

Thanks, Mom.

Mother's Day, 2010

Let me share a small tribute to my mother.

Watch the news much and you'll find a rising number of mothers who see their children as liabilities. They'll ignore them ... at best. More mothers are in the mode of trying to be their kids' best friend. They ignore discipline because the little tykes wouldn't like her if she was "mean" to them.

My mom never ignored me, and she never tried to be my best friend. She wasn't too concerned if I liked her. She never acquiesced because I complained. Mom was better than that. Mom never tried to be my buddy, but she was the best that a friend could be because her primary concern was always my best interest. Sometimes that meant that I would be unhappy while she taught me hard lessons. Sometimes it meant that I didn't get to do the things I wanted to do. Sometimes it hurt. Sometimes it made me mad. But Mom was single-minded. She raised us with love and truth and didn't waver. And she modeled for her kids what she believed. She actually lived it.

Funny thing. Today my mother is one of my best friends. We enjoy lengthy discussions on deep topics. We analyze our favorite passages of Scripture together or talk about current events and what's behind them or whatever else is pressing. We bounce ideas off each other -- "I wonder if this verse means this. What do you think?" We learn from each other. She is a truly great friend.

I love my mom. I cannot imagine a better mother. She loved me enough to endure great pain on my behalf. She loved me enough to pray for me when I was running the wrong direction. (I still remember that cake you left on my doorstep for my birthday that one year when I lived somewhere you were afraid to visit, Mom.) She still loves me enough to correct me when I'm wrong and I know so well that she loves me that I can appreciate it when she does. Hey, sometimes I even ask for it!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. I know, I know, you don't feel like the best mom ever. That's okay. I'm still entitled to my opinion. So I'll continue to hold you in the highest regard. I love you, Mom.

Mother's Day

It's Mother's Day and you know I have to introduce you to my mother. To be truthful, I'm not exactly sure how to do this. I just got done telling you that I'm not the writer I would like to be. Now I plan to tell you about my mom. You see, I'm not actually sure there are words to express the admiration and affection I have for my mom.

I've had a tough life. Unlike other kids, I had parents who loved me. They always tried to teach me what was right. They didn't abuse me. They intended my best. So while everyone else was complaining about their parents and struggling through tough home lives, I had nothing to say. How did I survive that?

I have already told you about my father, but when I was a kid, Dad was at work and Mom was the one who dealt with everything. She sat with me through measles, mumps, and rubella. I made sure to get chicken pox at the most inconvenient time ... when we were away at a family church camp. So while everyone else was off playing and going to hear speakers, Mom was sitting with me and my pox. You see, no matter what, Mom was a mother first.

I had a somewhat unusual relationship with my mom. I could ask her anything at all and she would tell me. I asked my mom the "sex questions" of a junior high boy and she never flinched. I always anticipated straightforward answers without the suggestion that I shouldn't be asking ... whatever. And she has always had the answers.

We've long since moved beyond childhood. Mom has been a "living Christian" for me. When you think "saint", you might think of "Saint Peter" or "Saint Augustine" or some other name. I think, "Mom." She has given her family a lifetime of exemplary living. From orthodoxy (right doctrine) to orthopraxy (right living), she has been the best guide in my life. And we still talk, but about better things than junior high issues. She is one of the very few who can carry on a discussion with me on all topics theological.

I love my dad. I think I've said that before. The truth is, however, my mom has been the largest influence on me. When other people meet her for the first time, they invariably come to me and say, "Oh, now I see what made you what you are." She has given me the best education, the best instruction in righteousness, the best living example of what "Christian" looks like. And, folks, I'm only scratching the surface.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. And, dear Father, thanks so much for giving me my mother.

Happy Mother's Day

To my mom who exceeds my ability to describe or extol, my fine example of godliness and my true friend ... may you have a wonderful day.

Happy Mother's Day

It's Mother's Day! I can't think of a better opportunity than this to tell you about my mother?

I have a hard time talking about my mom to any great extent without getting emotional. It's because I love her so much. God was very gracious to me when He selected my parents. My mom is a prime example.

Mom and I have always enjoyed a special relationship. She has always been willing to discuss anything at all with me. I could ask her questions about the Bible or questions about sex and expect answers with equal candor. She never seemed to berate me for my questions when other moms might have. And she never withheld answers like other moms might have. You know the ones. "Why don't you ask your father?" I never got that from my mom unless she actually didn't know the answer. And that wasn't very often.

My mother is quite unique. Generally speaking, women tend to be more emotional and men more logical. (I did say "generally speaking", didn't I?) One of the really obvious places to see this phenomenon is in church. More women go to church than men. More women are excited about church than men. The only difficulty with this is that women tend to not think as deeply as men on the topic of spiritual things. They might be excited. They might be knowledgeable. But digging deep doesn't seem to be a priority. (Again, for any female I may be on the verge of insulting, I know that there are exceptions and I did say "generally speaking".) My mother is an exception, and a wonderful one at that. No one is more "in love" with God than she is. I mean that in the purely worldly sense. She has all the emotions of love toward God that one would expect and hope for. She can't make it through a good worship time in church without pulling out a tissue to dab at tearful eyes. God just moves her. But she has equal depth. She enjoys digging into the Scriptures. "What does that mean?" "How does that work with this?" And she knows her Scripture. So like a "logical male", she is busy figuring things out, tossing contradictions and weaving an intricate truth structure that fits all the scenarios. While many people base their beliefs on how they feel and stand firm despite any evidence to the contrary, she will change what she believes when she is given a perspective that demands it. It provides a great deal of ground for my mom and I to have lengthy and very pleasurable theological discussions. This is one major aspect of our "special relationship" I mentioned before.

Mom shares a deep concern that I have for discipleship. As far back as I can recall, she has been mentoring younger women. She has involved herself in their lives for years and years. She has taught them the Scriptures, modeled for them what she believes, and given them even the hard principles. Teaching someone to seek to be happy at all cost is easy. She has taught them to seek to be everything that God wants them to be, even if it means doing things that are less than pleasurable. Indeed, the greatest advocate of wives submitting to husbands that I have ever known is my mother. While so many today are questioning it, she looks at it, scratches her head, and says, "Well, that's what it clearly says. How can anyone question it?" Today she is mentoring my youngest sister and a friend of hers. That might seem a little odd to some people, but it is grounds for admiration and gratitude from my perspective.

I don't know. As it turns out, as I think of my mom, I don't really have the tools to tell you how much I appreciate her, how much I respect her, or how much I love her. My wife is the only woman in this world that has greater love from me. My mom tells me about how she hasn't yet arrived at perfection. I suspect she knows whereof she speaks ... but those of us out here have a hard time seeing it. Given her history (which I won't go into here), her upbringing, her experiences, she is a stunning model of God at work in a person, a picture of sanctification. When I wonder "What does sanctification look like?", I have only to look at her and see an fine example.

I am grateful for my mother. I hope for all the best for her today and every day. I doubt that any son has a better mom than I do. I thank my God for her in my prayers.