Monthly Archives: March 2018

My mother taught me to take promises very seriously. If she made one, she meant it and if I made one, she would hold me to it. She cautioned me over and over to be slow to make a promise. “Never make a promise you’re not sure you can keep.”

I don’t remember very many promises Mother made because she didn’t make many. I can’t remember a single “bribe” promise to get me to do something. I was taught to obey because she was my mother, not because there was some reward in it for me. Most of the promises I do remember had to do with promised discipline. Those promises usually started with “when we get home.” (Mother didn’t administer discipline in public, but that’s a subject to discuss later.)

Mother also didn’t issue empty threats, just promised consequences for ill-advised actions. When we got home, no matter how tired she was or how many other things she was having to take care of, she would set everything else aside to make sure she followed through on her promise. We would have that talk or I would get that spanking or whatever had been promised.

Why is this important? It’s important because a promise not kept is not just a failure, it’s a deception. As a parent, we need to be honest — even with our children. And our children should see honesty in us as we deal with others as well.

A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
Proverbs 25:14

They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy.
Romans 1:31
(Take a look at the rest of this passage to find out who “they” is referring to.)

Aren’t you glad God takes promises seriously? In fact, we can identify God as a promise-making and promise-keeping God. That’s His character. I am willing to stake my life and eternity on his promises.

Mother shaped my soul by teaching me that words matter. Promises matter. She taught me not to make them to God, my friends, my spouse or my children, to anyone, unless I can and will keep them.

I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found. I, the Lord, speak only what is true and declare only what is right.
Isaiah 45:19

‘“Soon I will die, going the way of everything on earth. Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed! ‘
Joshua 23:14

“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
2 Samuel 22:31

The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.
Psalm 145:13b

He [Abraham] was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.
Romans 4:21

My mother was very intentional in seeing that I got to know and spend time with family — my grandparents, my aunts and uncles, and my cousins. We spent time hanging out with them. Often, she told me stories about their shared experiences in life. She made sure I had conversations with them so I got to know them personally. Family was important to her and she wanted to pass that on to me.

Mother always loved taking us to the town where she grew up. She loved to point out key places, which would always remind her of people and stories that impacted her life. In much the same way, she taught me about God, day by day, in normal activities and events of life. As we visited places and people, she shared  stories of God. Who He is and what He had done and was doing in her life and mine.

“I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

19 Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.
Deuteronomy 11:19 NLT

I have fond memories of the house I grew up in. On the front of our little house was a porch. It wasn’t very large, but big enough for a two-seat glider, and the steps made good seats on a warm night. We sat out there a lot in the summer, after dark, looking at the stars and listening to all the summer sounds and somewhere in our conversations out there, Mother would talk about God. Reminding us that He made this world and everything in it that we enjoy.

My mother was innovative and tenacious. Most of the time she could fix whatever needed fixing, but some things were beyond her power.

I had some frightening episodes that landed me in the hospital when I was just a child. As I went through a lot of testing, most of the time Mother was in the room with me, but some of the time, she was required to stay outside. In cold, sterile rooms with large equipment and strangers in charge, my comfort was knowing God was still in the room and He had power to take care of me. I could cling to that — and still do — because Mother had already instilled that into my mind and heart. God is always with you. He never leaves no matter what.

Like every normal child, I found my way into mischief from time to time and also like most children I know, I did my best to avoid being found out. Mother always seemed to have some kind of inside knowledge when I was into trouble and she always reminded me that God knows and sees everything, so even if I did manage to deceive her, God would know.

She explained to me that God had made it her responsibility to teach me right from wrong, so when she held me accountable for my actions, she was actually obeying God. That also taught me that if my mom is required to obey God, I must obey him as well. In fact, she would point out that whatever the infraction, this wasn’t just between me and Mother, this was between me and God.

Mother was also very intentional in discipline. Any action requiring punishment also required conversation. It’s always a good idea for parents to take time to think carefully before discipline, but Mother took that a step further, she required me to sit and think about what I’d done and why I needed discipline and I was required to discuss this with her, to make sure it was clear. Then after the appropriate discipline was administered, there was another conversation and that was about forgiveness. I never worried that she would bring that episode up again. It was forgiven.

What a picture of God’s forgiveness. He makes it clear that we are sinners by explaining the standard of perfection a just God requires. Then, He sent His Son to to take our punishment by paying for our sins on the cross. Once we talk to Him, repenting of our sins and accepting Him as our personal Savior, we are forgiven — for eternity.