May 9, 2008

About twenty-seven inches to my right lies a card destined for my mother. It’s positioned there because my wife picked it out, the public pressures me to send it and because I forgot to send it two days ago.

Before I write my short homage to mothers, how do you feel about that first paragraph? Before you feel pity for me, or anger or astonishment or resignation, let me explain a little further.

That I have a mother to whom to send the card is a very, very good thing. That my wife loves her enough to think of her when she’s in town is also a great blessing. That she wants me to appear the noble son . . . that could be co-dependant to my neglect or it could be a very helpful and caring companion.

As to the public pressure? I’ve never been one for cards until we got a basket of them last year. I’m trying to remember the value of communicated love – and then to actually do something about it. That there’s a day designed by the corporate world to produce personal guilt out of my non-participation – I have a problem with that. My appreciation for the three mothers in my life should be regularly and personally expressed.

And that it’s still on my desk is good in that I will remember to take it to the post office when I leave in just a little bit. When I mail the card I can think of my wife, my mother or corporate America. The card reminds me of all three. I can tell you that the third alternative needs to go immediately. My wife has center stage for me. So perhaps, for the next few hours, I’ll let myself be swept away by my mom.

“My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s teaching.” Proverbs 6:20

Oh, I almost forgot the homage.

Mothers in curlers and mothers in pink
Stand beside minivans and their kitchen sink.
But stereotyped mothers won’t laugh at this joke
And don’t feel the pain from the last word you spoke.
So honor that unique one from whom you carry your genes-
The one who was patient when you’d make a scene.
Let go of that baggage and give her a kiss
Either personally or with memories you miss.

With full commitment,
Pastor Steve