Psalm 39:1  I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.”

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I do not remember what I said. I do remember what my grandmother said in response. She said, “Boy, I ought to wash your mouth out with soap!” 

Fortunately, the threat was enough to redirect my speech and to avoid the penalty. 

From my earliest recollection, my grandmothers and mother taught me what to do and what not to do. There were so many practical instructions there is no way to recollect them all. I am forever grateful for their faithful guidance. 

Many of life’s best lessons are learned one innocent failure at a time. Many more are learned one rebellious failure at a time. The best lessons in these categories are learned at home and in family settings. This is where they are best taught and reinforced. This is where children receive the kind of attention initiated and facilitated with love. 

Mothers are our first and best teachers. They are our first and best nurses. They are our first and best judges. They are our first and best dream coaches. 

Most children try on one occupation after another in their minds. Mothers help them understand the relative values of different career paths and lifestyles. Moms ask good clarifying questions. Moms also love us enough to tell us hard truths.

The best lessons moms and grandmothers teach us are those related to disciplining ourselves. Self-discipline moves us in the right direction. Self-discipline turns us away from unnecessary problems. Self-discipline is a gift from God mediated through moms, not exclusively, but early and often. 

Do you ever wonder if most politicians, many business leaders, and even religious leaders actually had moms? 

Of all the roles in the world, we would be hard-pressed to find one as significant as Mom. Today is a good day to celebrate moms. Who are the good moms in your life, even if you are not related to them? How will you let them know how much you appreciate who they are and what they do?

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I will thank God for the amazing moms in my life.

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Our Father, my mother, my grandmothers, my wife, our daughters and daughter-in-law excel in the most significant role of their lifetimes. Thank you for moms who help us understand and adhere to truth, patience, and kindness. Thank you for how they enrich our lives with lessons we never outgrow. Thank you for affection in such genuine richness it is beyond compare. Thank you for their love which reflects yours. Amen.