An unknown poet has written:
Hundreds of stars in the pretty sky,
Hundreds of shells on the shore together,
Hundreds of birds that go singing by,
Hundreds of birds in the sunny weather.
Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the wide world over.
Sunday is Mother’s Day and today’s column is for mothers. Rather than getting sentimental, I would like for us to think about the qualities that make a good mother. And instead of stating what I think, I would like to share a questionnaire in which children were asked, “What do you like and not like about your mother?” Here are the results of that questionnaire.
What I like best about my mother:
1. She is good-natured, jolly and happy.
2. She compliments me for tidiness and good manners.
3. She reads good stories to us children.
4. She teaches me to pray and to attend church.
5. She lets me know that she trusts me.
6. She corrects me in a kind manner.
7. Mother allows me to take part in family planning and discussion.
8. She gives thorough and scientific sex instructions when I ask questions.
9. She teaches us music and songs.
10. She plans things for us to do as a family and lets us invite our friends.
What I don’t like about my mother:
1. She smokes cigarettes.
2. She slaps and punishes me in public or before my friends.
3. She whines about my dirty clothes and about having too much to do.
4. She seldom hugs and kisses me or tells me she loves me.
5. She doesn’t belong to the PTA and takes no interest in my school work.
6. She goes around the house looking so sloppy.
7. She teases us kids about boyfriends and girlfriends.
8. She doesn’t want us to bring friends and playmates home.
9. Mother is always complaining and finding fault.
10. She scolds me for things she does and says herself.
Being a mother is a God-given task and privilege, don’t you agree? And with it goes heavy responsibilities.
Sunday is Mother’s day. I hope you will be in church with your family—and with your mother if possible—to give thanks for her life, her love, and her selfless devotion.
Clyde Nichols is a retired minister, having served First Christian Church in Temple for 27 years as senior minister. He is the author of three books of devotionals and writes a religious column for several Texas newspapers, including The Reporter.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.