Happy Mother’s
Day 2026
Now,
I’ve spent a fair amount of time traveling this great country,
and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the backbone of
any civilization isn’t made of steel or concrete. It’s made of
something much tougher. It’s made of women who know how to
endure, how to sacrifice, and how to keep the wheels from falling
off when the road gets a little bumpy.
Take
my Mom, Peggy. She was a Great Depression-era
baby born in the mid 1920's who didn't exactly get a fair shake
at the start. She contracted polio at five years old and spent
the better part of her youth—up until she was sixteen—in the
Shriners Hospital in Saint Louis. We’re talking 21 major
surgeries. She lived through World War II, married my father, an
Army veteran, and raised three kids as a stay-at-home mom. She
was a woman of infinite patience who outlived every prediction the
experts dared to make, finally heading home at 70.
Then
there’s my Wife, Sweet Janice. She married me at 18 and decided
that getting her nursing degree wasn't quite challenging enough,
so she delivered our first son just ten days before walking
across the stage to become a Registered Nurse. She spent 42 years
serving others in hospitals and once—without a second thought—pulled an elderly woman
from a burning car. She’s a mother to three,
grandmother to seven, and great-grandmother to five. After
retiring, she spent five years on the Woodworking Show circuit
with me and still helps me run our woodturning accessory business
every single day.
My
Daughter, Lorie, is another one. She dated the same fellow since
her sophomore year of high school and had the discipline to wait
four more years to marry him until she had her college chemistry
degree in hand. Three kids, one husband, beautiful, and
brilliant. These days, she’s showing that trademark family grit
as she nears a full recovery from a stroke.
And
I can’t forget my Daughter-in-law, Tina. She’s a mother to four and a
grandmother to five. Talented, caring, devoted, and—don’t tell
the others—my favorite daughter-in-law.
Each
of these women is remarkable in her own right. They possess a
kind of inner strength and wisdom that you just can’t teach.
They’ve had the insight necessary to deal with the Brown Boys,
not to mention a pack of adventurous children and grandchildren.
The truth is, without their persistence, their forgiveness, and
their unwavering devotion, none of us would be part of the
strong, healthy families we are today. I’m a blessed man because
of them.
Happy
Mother’s Day.
And
remember, wherever you go, there you are.
My
inspiration for this week’s message comes from a single, timeless
passage: Proverbs 31.
(Prov
31:10-31 [MSG])
·
A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.
·
Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to
regret it.
·
Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.
·
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys
knitting and sewing.
·
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings
back exotic surprises.
·
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and
organizing her day.
·
She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put
aside, plants a garden.
·
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her
sleeves, eager to get started.
·
She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits
for the day.
·
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in
homemaking.
·
She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the
poor.
·
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter
clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
·
She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and
silks.
·
Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the
city fathers.
·
She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits
to the dress shops.
·
Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces
tomorrow with a smile.
·
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she
always says it kindly.
·
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all
busy and productive.
·
Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with
words of praise:
·
"Many women have done wonderful things, but you've
outclassed them all!"
·
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired
and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-GOD.
·
Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!
|
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.png)
%20(Large).JPG)
.JPG)
