“Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2-3 Webster’s Dictionary definition of “mother” as a noun includes “a female parent, a woman in authority; an old or elderly woman. Another definition claims that mother is a verb that means ìmaternal tenderness or affection.” I would rather think of mother as a verb as there are millions of women throughout the world that are physically able to bear children but are never mothers. I know one woman who worries a great deal about her granddaughter. The girl feels as though she is unloved by her mother. Her mother claims she just doesn’t know what to say to her daughter. How sad that she doesn’t know how to be a mother to her daughter. At the other end of the spectrum are women who never physically bore children and yet were a mother to so many. I love to read stories of women that were able to channel their love into the lives of numerous children whose lives would be drastically different if not for them. How fitting it is we set aside one Sunday of the year to honor mothers. Anna Jarvis felt that a national holiday was in order to celebrate our mothers. President Woodrow Wilson agreed and with the help of Congress, signed a joint resolution on May 9, 1914 proclaiming the second Sunday of May as Mother’s Day. This is a day to honor all mothers from those who gave birth to those who are mothers of the heart. We remember the mothers both those who are still with us and those who are no longer on this earth. I praise God for my own mother that I love very dearly and thank Him that we are close enough in distance to see each other fairly often. I praise Him for telephones so we can talk to each other. There is so many times just hearing her voice is like a soothing balm that makes everything better. I can’t count the times I sought her counsel. She truly listens and gives advice as needed or asked. I am so blessed we share such a close, loving relationship. I think of another mother and grandmother that made a dramatic impact on someoneís life. Paul saw it too and wrote in 2 Timothy 1:5: “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” Paul knew how fortunate Timothy was having a mother and grandmother that helped mold his life and make him into a fine, young man. They gave him the foundation and Paul continued the work to help him to be the best pastor he could be for the Lord. I have family and friends who aren’t as fortunate as I am because their mothers are in heaven today. My grandmother often tells me that even though my great-grandmother has been gone over 50 years, she still thinks about her and misses her. Those who have lost their mothers need to realize that they are never alone. Also, there are those who never had a close relationship with their mother. I pray they will realize that even though they aren’t close to their mothers, there is One who will always be there for them. In Isaiah 66:13 we read, “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” A mother is a comfort, but the Lord is the comforter that never leaves us. Finally, there is the woman who never physically bore a child. The psalmist talks about this woman in Psalms 113:9, “He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.” Although this woman never bore children, the Lord makes provisions for her to be a spiritual mother, a mentor to others. I am so blessed in my life that even though I haven’t physically bore children, I have numerous children that are a part of my life. Their parents are so wonderful to include me in the childrenís lives. From the precious baby I saw when he was less than five minutes old to a young man who is nearly 23, the Lord gives me an opportunity to be a part of these young lives. No, I am not a mother in the physical sense, but when a young person comes up to me and gives me a hug and talks about the times we shared together, there is a fulfillment that I can’t explain.