We only get one shot at life. There are no do-overs. Get it right or live to regret it.

When it comes to parenting, we need to get it right. 

When it comes to our parents, we need to get it right.

We are called to honor our mother and our father. This, of course, is one of the Ten Commandments. Later in Scripture, in the book of Ephesians, the commandment is repeated as follows:

“Honor your father and mother – which is the first commandment with a promise – that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

You might be thinking, “Yes, but you don’t know my parents!”

This is true. I don’t know what trials you may have experienced, but I do know that the above command to honor parents is not conditional. It doesn’t say, “Honor your mother and father when you feel they deserve it, if they have made no missteps;” “Honor your mother and father when it’s convenient;” “Honor your father and mother until you’re 18 and out of the house,” or “Honor your mother and father on the annual day that the national calendar says each should be recognized.”   No. The command is simply to honor.

I can think of two reasons why we need to get this right:  1) because God expects nothing less, and  2) so we will have no regrets. We never want to look back and think, “God forgive me; I should have done more when I had the chance.”

My sister and I have been blessed with the privilege of assisting our mother. She is 88 and struggling with dementia and back pain. We are her wheels, her medical overseers, her financial bookkeepers/advisers, and her confidants. Are there days of frustration? Of course. But we are truly thankful for this opportunity to serve her.

Our mom was an old-fashioned mom in the best sense of that term. She was always home with us. Finances necessitated her working odd, part-time jobs, but she always took me, the youngest of four, with her when necessary. She cooked wonderful meals for us, usually the bounty from her tireless work in the garden. She sewed almost everything we wore. She sacrificed daily for our benefit. She set a beautiful example of servanthood in our home. 

And Mom laughed. She laughed often. She still laughs, bringing joy to those around her. Mom delights in life, even though she has been dealt some cruel blows. In many ways, she’s my hero.

I thought about titling this blog, “Ode to Mom,” as a nod to Mother’s Day. But as I thought about it more, I realized the more important take-away from this blog would be “no regrets.”  I know I’ll have none when she’s gone. I know she will have been honored while living.

How about you? Will you have no regrets? Maybe it’s not too late.

 Joy in Jesus,

 Jacquee