Mama Said…
Proverbs 31:26
“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue” (Proverbs 31:26, NIV).
Owls have long been associated with wisdom and knowledge, partially because of their ability to see in the dark, and partially because of their mythological connection to Athena, goddess of wisdom. Although some cultures depict owls as omens, for our purposes, owls — like mothers— symbolize powers of observation, listening, independent thinking, intuition, and wisdom.
Today’s devotion is dedicated to the wise women who shaped us, cared for us, and modeled for us steadfast love and unwavering commitment to family, to values, and to God. We recognize their strength and “inner light,” and we give thanks for their help in navigating through dark times.
Below you will find a splendid sampling from friends and family who responded to my query about wisdom gained from their mothers. Responses are divided into categories which sometimes overlap.
See if you recognize your mother in any of the following:
ANECDOTAL
Mother’s actions spoke louder than her words. When I was a child, I thought my mother surely loved to cook, clean, wash clothes, go the grocery store, help others, and take care of us when we were sick. As an adult, I see how sacrificial her actions were. I still think she really loved doing those things, but I appreciate all the more that she wanted to do them because she loved us so much…
Mother used to give us little chores around the house. I remember trying to do my tasks quickly so I could go play. One day Mother came in while I was sloppily making the bed, and said, ‘Let’s remake this bed. It only takes a couple minutes more to make it look good and do it right.’ Many times in my adult life, I have thought of Mother’s advice and have taken a little more time to do things right. —Sarah Martha
I resisted most of the advice Mama offered... we were not close, and I am sure half of the reason fell in my court. But one thing immediately popped into my head [when asked for which of Mother’s wise words I remembered]: “Pretty is as pretty does…”
My mother was a good mother. We were well taken care of, and taught how to care for a house and our belongings. ... I sometime wished that I could’ve known my mother as a contemporary... I wondered if we would have been friends. — Barbara
In looking back, I wish I had a chance to tell my mother how much I appreciated all the things she did for me. The everyday under-appreciated taking care of me, helping with school projects, giving up her life to take care of her family. Words of wisdom through her actions and love. — Genia
When I realized I had no choice but to close my store after 25 years, I went to talk to Mama. She steepled her fingers and said, “Now that you’ve made a decision, you know what you need to do. You must make a plan and not waver from it.” — Rebecca
I remember my beautiful, gentle mother reminding her five rambunctious children at least ten times a day, every day, as we fought like cats and dogs, that “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” I’m not sure even now if she used this scripture in hopes of guilting us into some semblance of civility. Or in a plea to her Heavenly Father to bring her an inward peace she was wise enough to know that ultimately only He can impart. I suspect a bit of both! — Elaine
My mother had a special love for people in need. She baked many pound cakes and we would help deliver them to homes. She would often deliver a roast, also. We learned the joy of giving…
We passed a cotton field one day, and she asked the owner if we could pick some cotton. We learned to try new adventures…
Most of all, she loved the Lord, and we went to church. We saw her love for all people…
She did not tell us how to behave, but when we did not, we had to get our own hickory stick! — Helen
What I remember is Mother being a godly woman who set an example for me daily, week after week, month after month, year after year. Mama didn’t always talk about it, but if you knew her, she walked it. One example is when she worked at a restaurant downtown. Some of the workers were African-American. When they did not have a ride home, she would take them home at 11 or 12 o’clock at night. — Pam
“Always tell your host you had a nice time at her home.” Mother instilled this expectation in me at age six when I attended my best friend's birthday party. To avoid the consequences of my mother’s disappointment, I knew I had to say the dreaded words. At the end of the occasion, Mrs. Barlow stood at her back door to watch children stream out of her house. I honestly don’t remember much about the festivities but as I left her home, I looked her squarely in the eye and said, “I had a nice time at the party.” Whew! What a revelation. The world did not open and swallow me whole. Uttering a simple pleasantry was not a painful experience and would certainly not doom me with my peers. Lessons from my mother were not scripted – they simply came along within the dictates of time. — Sheila
When I had to go in to the grocery store by myself to return something or talk to a teacher, Mama said, “It is for your own good. You will thank me later.” I am not sure I thanked her later! — Fran
“My, how interesting!” was the response Mother gave when she either did not agree or when she wanted to refrain from saying how dumb something sounded. — Martha H.
PRACTICAL
“It’s not what you make, but what you do with what you make.”
Mama taught us not to live above our means. — Carolynn
Every time we got a great parking place, Mother would say, “We must be living right!” — Martha B.
“Never put a butcher knife in a dish pan of soapy water.” Mama thought she knew the exact location of the blade, but she didn’t. I still can see blood on her hand as it came out of the dish water. She wrapped her wound and called the doctor. Stitches were required. Family rule ever since – Knives to be washed are placed behind the faucet…
“Never put pans or boilers on the dining table as serving dishes.”
Feed folks, but do it with a bit of dignity!— Sheila
At every family photo session Mother would say emphatically, “Don’t forget to hold in your stomach!” — Cindy
SPIRITUAL
“My mother was the first to talk to me about Jesus and how important He is.” — Micha
“I remember Mother telling me I need to read the Bible daily.” — Gayle
Two Bible verses from my mother she lived by and passed on to me... Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV):
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” and Matthew 7:12- “The Golden Rule”...
Two Bible verses passed on to me from my grandmother (my mother’s mother):
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV).
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones” (Proverbs 17:22, KJV).
— Sarah Jane
“Beauty is as beauty does.” Christ within us radiates true beauty. — Sherry
RELATIONAL
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12). My mother taught me the “Golden Rule” when I was a young child…As I grow older, I often find myself asking the Golden Rule before I speak or take action. — Andy
Similarly,
“Treat others as you want to be treated” — Ann
“Treat everyone as an equal.” — Phil
“Use your manners; first impressions are important.” —Cheryl
“Being polite and having good manners will never go out of style.” — Rebecca
Mama’s famous sayings:
“Because I said so!!!” and
“Birds of a feather flock together” — Wanda
“What would the neighbors think?”
When I asked for advice parenting adult children, Mama said, “Always be available and offer an opinion only when asked.” — Sharon
Not so much by word, but always by example, Mother taught me these three principles:
Hospitality and generosity matter. She always had a delicious meal prepared for those who visited or to take to the sick or sorrowful.
When you make a mistake, clean it up and move on…don’t dwell on accidents and mistakes.
It matters to people to be shown love and care — She wrote long, thoughtful letters in great detail for all occasions. — Susan
PHYSICAL
Do not dress like a “Hoochie” Mama. You will look cheap!
Translation: not too low or too short.
“Look for a man with horned-rim glasses, not the drop-dead Saturday matinée movie idol or most popular boy on campus.” — Martha H.
“Don’t be dumpy dowdy if you don’t have to be.” I took it as adding whimsy to life and not letting rules contain me. — Fran
“ Being well dressed represents how you feel about yourself.”
“Even a barn looks better painted,” Mama would say if you needed a bit more color on your lips or cheeks! — Rebecca
“Never leave the house without lipstick!” —Elizabeth
Quote from my grandmother: “Get up and be dressed, face powdered, lipstick and pearls on. You never know when the preacher may stop by for a visit.” — Lesa
INSPIRATIONAL
I’m so thankful for the friendship I had with my mom. It’s a treasure I see now that not everyone has. Whenever I called to vent or complain or problem solve, she would say, “Keep looking up”…. A reminder to me to keep an eternal perspective, or look to Jesus (not her) for the answers.
—Ali
“You can’t make someone do the right thing, although we wish we could.” — Rebecca
“Always be the example others will follow!” — Lesa
“It’s never wrong to do the right thing.” — Martha B.
“Be the task great or small, do it well, do it all.”
“An ounce of morning is worth a pound of afternoon!” — Elizabeth
“Bloom where you are planted.”
Mama really does believe in the power of words. She believes that when you can’t change your circumstance, it is better to praise Him and find something to be thankful for - not complain and not just be resigned to your fate. Also, words withheld can be curses just as strongly as words spoken as curses. — Fran
Two things that cannot be forced:
1. Generosity
2. Good taste — Martha H.
Thank you all for your generosity and good taste in sharing your mothers’ wisdom!
CHALLENGE: Choose a wise saying or example to live by this week.
Father,
Thank You for gifting us our mothers with such wisdom and love.
Guide us to live in “All, but Only” the ways that honor them and You.
May we be wise for Your name’s sake, Amen.
NOTE: If I failed to include what you sent, or if you didn’t get a chance to weigh in on wisdom from your mother, no worries. I hope to collect the same kind of tribute to our fathers in June…Stay tuned!
This week, the Wobbly Warbler is gladly letting YOUR voices be heard rather than hers. Enjoy the break and thank you again for participating.
Wonderful words of wisdom
I LOVE THESE.