Proverbs 31:28, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”

Growing up, my sisters and I enjoyed taking this verse literally and on occasion, would suddenly stand up, look at our mother, and say, “Blessed!” While this always provided our family a chuckle, it was also a fun opportunity for us to recognize her and all she did for us as a family. Our father also was a great role model in thanking her, supporting her, and reminding us to do so as well. 

When I was in high school, I was asked to share a tribute to my mom on Mother’s Day during a special church service. I pulled it out the other day to look back and see what I said all those years ago. It’s funny to see my high school point of view, but the truth of what I said then has stretched and grown along with me through college, marriage, and now my own journey in motherhood.

I’m sharing it today as a reminder to each of us – a reminder to honor our mothers, both our literal mothers and the mothers who have come alongside us in the church, mentoring and discipling us in Christ. Also, as a reminder to each of us to be that godly mother (again, either literally or spiritually) who pours into the children or younger believers in our lives. We’ve all heard about the “Proverbs 31 Woman” and she can be intimidating. But she isn’t meant to be a discouragement to us, as some picture of perfection we can never achieve. She’s an encouragement of the beauty that God can accomplish through us if we are willing vessels of His hands.