Have you ever been around the guy who just didn’t get it? Honestly, I think I’ve been that guy myself on too many occasions. And it’s not that these guys are complete losers or something. They are simply untrained and uninformed.
For example, some men were raised in such a way as to know what is and isn’t appropriate; what to do and what not to do, regarding many things in life. But I’ve discovered that a lot of men were not raised that way at all. Yet when they receive a few tips and some nudges in the right direction from men they look up to and respect, it can go a long way in helping them. I know it always has for me.
One of the areas I have observed that some men struggle with is how they handle special occasions. Take Mother’s Day, for example. It passes them by without much of a thought whatsoever. But no Christian man should allow this to ever happen again in his life. Keep reading, and I’ll explain why that is.
First, what is Mother’s Day? I looked it up and Wikipedia states, “Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May.”
The Bible makes it very clear that the way you honor your mother is significant to how your own life turns out.
“1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3 KJV
Who doesn’t want things to go well with them and to live a long life?
Obviously, this level of honor that we are to demonstrate to our moms is not to be limited to an annual event. However, in over four decades of ministry, I have found that a lot of men skip right over Mother’s Day altogether, and they do nothing at all for their moms or wives. If that has been your situation, I highly recommend you fix that this year.
I believe that all Christian men, regardless of who you are or what you do for a living, should be the classiest guys in the room. The most thoughtful. The most generous. And the most well-mannered. So, skipping Mother’s Day by not demonstrating honor would instantly remove you from these categories.
I suggest that you make it a point to get a card and write a heartfelt note in it for your mom, stepmom, mother-in-law, and even your grandmother, depending on your personal situation. And I would include on this list two other individuals: your spiritual mom, who is most likely your pastor’s wife, and your own wife, if she is a mother or expectant mother.
Then add an appropriate gift, or a gift card, or some cash, along with the Mother’s Day card you provide them. And go ahead and buy some flowers too, and either hand deliver them yourself or have the flower shop deliver them.
TIP: A 20% off coupon for an oil change at Big Frank’s Lube and Such is not an appropriate gift for Mother’s Day.
Instead, consider getting her something that will pamper her. A gift card to a spa for example, and things of a more personal nature are best. Because odds are, a new ironing board is not what she’d like to receive from you on Mother’s Day, no matter how practical it may have appeared in your mind.
TIP: Always remember that the “she ain’t my mom” approach, instantly removes you from the classiest guy in the room category.
You may be reading this and thinking that demonstrating love and honor to your mom and your wife is just too extravagant and wasteful, based on your income. However, nothing could be further from the truth.
I am always amazed at men who say they don’t have any money for things but then have plenty to spend on themselves for stuff that could easily have been put off a few more weeks. That new fishing rod or video game controller could wait a bit longer, couldn’t it? Guys, there are occasions when you just have to say no to yourself, so that you can say yes to doing what the Bible says will cause things to go well with you.
In closing, let me leave you with a verse that will encourage you to not keep making excuses and putting off doing the honorable thing where Mother’s Day is concerned.
“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” Ecclesiastes 11:4 TLB
TIP: Don’t be that guy.
