By Effie Rolfe, Chicago Crusader
‘I’ll Always Love My Mama’. That is a very popular song and definitely a Mother’s Day favorite. Come Sunday, hopefully, Moms past and present will be honored coast to coast. Honor is to show high respect and esteem. Unfortunately, too many people forget that honor and respect should continue each and every day of the year. Did you know that both of your parents should be honored at all times? If you look closely, Ephesians 6:2 instructs us to do just that “Honor your father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise).” Actually, there is no expiration date on this command. The following verse explains why this honor should continue, so “That it may be well with thee, and thou may live long on the earth (Ephesians 6: 3).”
Of course, we know that crime and senseless violence is a major factor in the death of many innocent children and youth dying each day. At times, one might question if these frequent news flashes could be caused by a lack of honor and respect for parents. I recall when I first saw a young man curse at his mother. Actually, both of them engaged in a conversation filled with nonstop expletives. It was unbelievable. Back in the day, especially growing up in Arkansas with my mother, Mrs. Willie D. Rolfe, you couldn’t even look like you wanted to badmouth anyone. Our family didn’t know anything about profanity. In fact, our definition of a bad word was ‘I can’t stand you’ or ‘you make me sick.’ That rule applied even after getting a whipping—today it’s known as spanking, tap on the hand or time out. Bottom line, when mama’ whipped us with a double switch (two small branches tied together) from the weeping willow tree, we still couldn’t even holler too loud. The most we could do is cry—maybe murmur and hope she didn’t hear us. Growing up in my world, you didn’t lift your hand or voice out of respect and honor. Due to the death of my father from leukemia the same day I was born, mother was the only parent I ever knew. In fact, she made it clear to all ten children—who was the parent and who was the child.
Nowadays, as parents and grand-parents are younger each decade, times have increasingly changed. Parents have now settled for being friends with their children. Some believe spanking children is archaic and outdated. Yesterday or today, children still need and want direction, as well as tough love. It is the parent’s responsibility to protect children by any means necessary. Unfortunately, marriage has declined especially among African Americans, thus the two-parent home has nearly diminished as well. For this reason, among others, many women are doing double duty in parenting—we salute you. And for those moms and fathers who are giving them their all in prayer, love, wisdom, time and respect in raising your children—thank you and please don’t ever stop. The bible is still right, “…but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesian 6: 4).
As we approach Mother’s Day, let’s aggressively do all we can to guide, lead, love as well as protect our children. Let’s us continue to instill within each child the essence of character, integrity and the beauty of their souls as well as a genuine love for God and mankind. Let’s teach them that God has gifted each of them with divine purpose and talents to bless and to be a blessing. This should be written in their hearts and echoed as fundamentals of life. My prayer is that moms, dads, grandparents and the entire support system everywhere will forever have the freedom, courage and strong desire to love and nurture their children into loving and God fearing adults that will remember to love and respect. On this Sunday and each day to follow, I pray that mothers are always celebrated by their children all the days of your life. Happy Mother’s Day…
Will you honor and love your mother everyday…?
© Effie Rolfe is an Author of “Supersize Your Thinking,” Media Personality and Motivational Speaker. You can contact her on twitter.com/- effiedrolfe Listen to her show daily on urbanpraiseradio.org (2015 Stellar Award Winner for Best Internet Radio Station).
