Mother’s Day - that special day of the year when we are either honoring our mothers, being honored as a mother, or perhaps both. What a wonderful privilege either way!

Whatever the case, we all have one thing in common, we have a mother. If you don’t, I’d be interested to know from where you originate!

I have the joy and privilege of being a mother to our five adult children. I was never the perfect mother, but by God’s grace, we are blessed to have a strong bond between each of us, which we try to protect and not take for granted.

We also think of those who, not by choice, have never experienced motherhood. We must trust it is God’s perfectly chosen plan, yet ever so painful and difficult to understand. You are equally valuable to God and society.

Maybe you are a mother, but your baby, or babies, are in Heaven. God knows your heartache as well while you hold them close within your heart.

Some of you may have a mother who has gone on into eternity, leaving you with precious memories to cherish until you meet again on the other side, if you trust in Christ the Savior as she did.

I’m grateful for my Amish mother, who is almost ninety years old. She taught me many valuable lessons growing up in the Amish culture. Here are only five of the many lessons I could mention.

She taught me to be kind.

I never saw her treating someone in a rude manner. She believed it’s never right to be unkind.

She taught me to be compassionate.

My mother disliked seeing anyone suffering hunger or pain, including the farm animals. She didn’t always have many varieties or choices of food to serve at the table, but she aimed to never let a family member nor farm animal go to bed hungry. My parents couldn’t afford doctor bills, so our aches and pains were treated with all the home remedies she could concoct until there was relief.

She taught me to be resourceful.

Our family experienced some severe financial difficulties and many ordinary things that were “necessities” to the average person were only a dream for us. However, countless times, I observed my mother using what she could scrape together to make do with what she had. That is not always a bad thing. It can come in handy at times in adulthood! Oh, and don’t buy any food or clothing from the store that you could grow or make yourself! Oops! Maybe that one didn’t stick too well with me!

She taught me the importance of good character.

I was trained to work hard, to always be truthful, to never tell a “white lie,” and if anything is worth doing, do it right.

She taught me to be faithful.

Faithful to keep my word. Faithful to obey those in authority over me. Faithful to do what was expected of me, at home or at church. Faithful to God’s Word, albeit, as she believed from the Amish perspective.