A Tribute to Mother
Wilkin Tom O’Neal

President Wilson declared the second Sunday of each May as “Mother’s Day,” a special day to honor mothers of this nation. It is good that we can honor mother’s for the tremendous responsibility that they have in caring for their family. Moses penned, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12). Paul declared, “Honour thy father and mother, (which is the first commandment with promise;) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:2-3).

My earliest reflection on life is from memories of my mother and our home. I remember my mother as a worker in the home. She was a helpmeet for my father as long as he lived and a homemaker for us kids. Although I did not understand what a helpmeet was at the time I later learned that it meant that the wife was an aide to her husband as they journeyed through life together (Genesis 2:17). Mother and dad worked together with each other instead of against each other. She stood by his side. They had their disagreements but they worked and stayed together. Their marriage lasted thirty-one years only ending with the death of my father.

Whenever I read about hospitality in the Bible I think about my mother. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:9, “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” Our home was always open to anyone in need, whether they were family or friends or Christians or whomever. I remember our home would be open many a Sunday evening after services having invited friends to play dominoes and have sandwiches, home made cinnamon rolls and tea or coffee. (I remember the aroma that permeated the entire house.) We never had much money but mother made sure that what we had was clean and patched. She didn’t work outside of the home for many years, always keeping the home and having meals prepared when daddy arrived home. I remember before bedtime that we would gather in the living room for a devotional. She instilled in her children values that were biblical (2 Timothy 3:15). I remember mother helping me learn the books of the Bible for Sunday school. I can remember mother teaching Sunday school class as long as she was able. The faith that she instilled in my heart has helped me to this very day.

Not only did she teach her family about God at home she took time for herself as well each morning as long as she was able. She would rise around 4:30 in the morning and study her Bible and drink hot tea and eat toast. What few times I was awake at that hour I remember her at the kitchen table reading or praying.

She taught us how to treat others and their property. Mother instilled in us how we should behave whether it was in public or private. I remember one time, before my youngest brother was born, that all three of us kids received a whipping. I remember why to this day and the order that we received the whipping. She also taught us how to behave in church. I can remember getting the whipping of my life on one Sunday evening. I was the recipient of many whippings and perhaps should have had more.

Through trials and tribulation and through sickness and in health I can not remember my mother’s faith wavering. The faith that she taught her family to live by she applied to her life as well. That same faith enabled her to face the valley of death. I am reminded of what the apostle Paul penned, “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). Sin has its appeal to mankind. But notice, “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Even though she has been gone nearly twenty years there is hardly a moment that goes by that she does not cross my mind. The word “mother” has always had charm for me but much more now. It is not the sound of the word but the meaning her life gave to it that made it one of the sweetest words in the English language. Her life of love, devotion, purity and humility filled it with a tenderness and a balm to heal the hurts of life as no other word that belongs to time alone.

Even though death has stilled her tongue, when discouraged and downhearted, I am glad that I am able to walk back down the winding path of time and let sweet memories of the past whisper words of comfort and encouragement to me. When the burdens and cares of life become heavy, the thought of her tender touch and loving care will make them lighter. God was indeed good to me when he gave me such a wonderful mother.

Have a great day for the Lord and a happy Mother’s Day!! ❀