By Bill Ellis
Special to ASSIST News Service

SCOTT DEPOT, WV (ANS) — Anna M. Jarvis, born in1864, in Grafton, WV, devoted her life to establishing an annual Mother’s Day to honor her mother, Anna R. Jarvis, and all mothers. In 1962 an historic church in Grafton became the international Mother’s Day shrine. A special mother’s Day service is held there at 2:30 p.m. every year on the second Sunday in May.

Honor your mother as the Bible instructs (Exodus 20:12). Wisdom from the Old Testament teaches us a valuable lesson with these words: “My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching” (Proverbs 6:20).

Saul was one of the toughest men who ever lived. He watched as ungodly men beat and stoned Stephen to death. He later wrote to a young man and told him how to treat those of the opposite sex. He said, (You treat) “. . . older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity” (I Timothy 5:2) NIV).

It takes a strong man to treat a woman right. Weak men mistreat and abuse women. There is no higher calling or position in life than to be a godly mother.

Sunday is Mother’s Day! I do hope that every mother can be in a worship service with their families. Honor your mother (and father) on this, her day. Send a card, buy a gift, make a phone call – be the kind of child she will be proud of.

My mother wrote to me some words 37 years ago I want to share with you. I think they are among the most beautiful I have ever read. She realized I was spending more and more time with my church and my own family. She titled it, “This is Mother’s Day”.

“Three times I have had the pleasure of holding a tiny baby, knowing it was mine and Daddy’s. My own baby boy – Billy. That was my first Mother’s Day. Only one knows that, only a Mother.

“I remember your first day at school, the first years for each of you, the pictures you traded, then each graduation. How each one of you stood out among all others! That was Mother’s Day.

“The friends you had down through the years. The bicycles, the dogs, old ‘Fido’, our ‘Pet Rooster’ our cat ‘Patches’, Daddy and Uncle Henry taking you boys hunting, the picnics with cousins. Those all help to make Mother’s Day.

“Now all of you have homes and families (anxious for the tiny ones to arrive). I probably scolded you far too many times. My patience wore thin many times, but you all did so many nice things for me that were full of love and forgiveness. That was Mother’s Day.

“I must share you with others as you minister to people. I pray each day you will be a blessing to someone, the father to your children and husband to your precious wife (that would be just what the Lord wants) and that you will be a blessing as you work together in the Lord’s vineyard.

“I thank the Lord for the preachers, teachers and coaches that have helped make you what you are and to find your place. Knowing you are ministering to others, I must share you and not be jealous as others claim you more and more as the years go by. That makes Mother’s Day.

“As you remember me on Mother’s Day you have already given me the best gift you could give. As you say all the year through, ‘Mom, I love you’, you make it Mother’s Day.

“Love, Mom”

Thank God for mothers. Their job is the greatest in all the world.

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