John Avery, Church Administrator
Who knows what today is?
You might be thinking, “Why! Of course! Today is Victory in Europe Day,” the day in 1945 when the Allies accepted Germany’s unconditional surrender. Or, you may be thinking that today is the day in 1541 when Hernando Desoto discovered the Mississippi River. You might even be thinking that today is the birthday of arguably the last normal American to hold the office of President of the United States, Harry S. Truman, born in 1884. While you’d be technically correct on every count, May 8, 2026, is actually far more important. It’s two short days before Mother’s Day!
If that doesn’t seem very important to you, consider what an invaluable blessing loving godly mothers are. From the very beginning of life, mothers shape our world in ways both large and small. They nurture us in the faith and even hold our feet to the fire when necessary. They are often the first to comfort us, the first to pray for us, the first to believe in us, and sometimes the first to tell us:
“Don’t make me come in there.”
“Money doesn’t grow on trees.”
“If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you?”
“Eat your vegetables.”
“Take a jacket. You’ll get cold.”
“Because I said so!”
Mothers are also remarkable for their everyday superpowers. They can locate a missing shoe from three rooms away, carry six grocery bags in one trip, and hear a whisper of “Mom…” while sound asleep at 2:13 a.m. Scientists may not fully understand how this works. The rest of us simply accept it as one of the mysteries of creation.
Humor aside, motherhood is holy work. It is often unseen work, repetitive, sacrificial, and exhausting. It involves late nights, early mornings, fervent prayers, difficult conversations, and countless acts of love that we may never be fully aware of this side of heaven.
[Proverbs 31:10–31] describes a godly wife and mother. Verse 28 says, “Her children rise up and call her blessed.” This has always been a moving verse for me and is all the more so since my mom joined the Church Triumphant more than five years ago. Almost every time I think of her, which is quite often, I think of that passage and repeat verse 28 to myself.
So, if you find yourself on May 8, 2026, having forgotten that this Sunday, a few short hours from now, is Mother’s Day, take advantage of the opportunity to get a card or some flowers. More importantly, say the words. Even more importantly, give thanks to God for the great blessing He has given you.
