May 11, 2026
We celebrated Mother’s Day yesterday and it was special. Got to spend it with my son. He’s a pastor in a neighboring state and Sundays off are a rare treat. His own son graduated from college on Saturday, so it was a joyful weekend. Parenting is a privilege. We don’t always get every detail right, but God’s grace ends up covering most of the mistakes. As a mom, I think our final exam, if there is a final exam, is turning in an adult who is a good citizen, who pays their taxes, obeys the law, and chooses to leave the world a bit better than they found it.
Every time I read about a horrific crime, I think about the mother of the perpetrator. How do moms and dads who raise a hurtful child, deal with the pain? In the Old Testament, God often held parents responsible for the sins of their children. And vice versa. Even today, parents can be prosecuted for crimes committed by their children when parental negligence played a part. It is safe to say parents do have an obligation to raise children who add value to our culture. When I hear about parents who take their child’s side in every situation, who scream at referees, umpires, and coaches who dare to discipline, I know a day of reckoning is waiting in that child’s future.
Children are meant to be a joy. Grandchildren are a proven and delightful bonus. Enjoy your Father’s Days and Mother’s Days. Celebrate. Offer to babysit so your adult kids can have a night out. Offer advice to young couples. Help parents raise the kind of children who lead companies, churches, schools and the nation righteously. Raise adults who are honest, kind, and brave. It makes for a happier Mother’s Day.
Lord God, I want to thank You for good children who grow up willing to respect the family name, to raise a standard of excellence, and who fill our quivers with straight arrows. May we always be thankful for them, appreciating their strength, and knowing the world benefits from their strong leadership. Thank You for the grace You used to cover my mistakes, which allows me to bask in their love today.
The rod and a rebuke give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother. Proverbs 29:15