“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” — Exodus 20:12 (NIV)
Sometimes it’s easy to take people for granted, especially those who are always there for us. Mothers are often like that. They’re the ones who help us find what’s lost, who pray for us when we’re scared, who remind us to be kind when we’d rather not. And yet, in the rush of life, we can forget to show them the honor and respect that God tells us to give.
Honoring your mother doesn’t mean you’ll always agree. It doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect. What it does mean is showing love, respect, and gratitude. It can be as simple as saying thank you, helping with something without being asked, or even just spending time together. Words are important, but so are actions.
God included this command to honor our parents in the Ten Commandments—not because He wants us to follow rules just to follow them, but because He knows that honoring those who care for us helps shape our hearts. It teaches us to love better, to think of others, and to value the people He’s placed in our lives.
Mother’s Day gives us a chance to pause and reflect. Who has been like a mother to you? Maybe it’s your mom, or maybe it’s a grandma, an aunt, a teacher, or someone else. Whoever it is, take a moment to think about how you can honor them—not just on one day, but throughout the year.
Even if your relationship with your mom isn’t perfect, you can still choose to respond with grace. God can use your words and actions to bring healing, peace, and hope. He honors the heart that honors others.
Prayer: God, thank You for the people who care for me, especially my mom or those who have been like a mother in my life. Help me not to take them for granted. Teach me to honor them with my words, my actions, and my heart. Where there is hurt or distance, bring healing. Thank You for showing me what real love looks like. Help me to live that out every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
