Today is a special day that we set aside to honor our moms and other special women in our lives.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
31:10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than precious gems.
31:28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her…

Yesterday, we got out a DVD that we recently had made from some old VCR tapes. On the DVD was the birth of Robin’s and my oldest daughter, Hillary. In the video were three ladies who have been instrumental in my becoming who I am today.

The first one is Vera Proffer, my grandmother on my mother’s side. Vera and her husband, Grady, helped raise me in Durant, took me fishing, taught me to love pimento cheese sandwiches and bottled coke (I was famished after a fishing trip), fed me hamburgers on my way to work twice a week in college, and to follow the Lord. Happy (grand) Mother’s Day, Granny.

The second one is my mother, Dorothy Anderson. She and my dad, Andy, raised me to love the Lord, follow my dreams, and to put everything I had into whatever I pursued. Mom was the one who instructed me in how to ask Jesus into my heart and life. In the loving environment of our home, I was a double all-state-er (band and track) my senior year, sang in a singing group with my brother for seven years, and have served in the ministry vocationally for 36 years. Mom always believed in me. When they came to live with us from 2011-2017, I got to watch all over again how I had learned to love my wife in the way Mom and Dad loved each other. Dad had a stroke and died in January of 2017, and Mom battled Chronic Hepatitis C for 41 years and died two months after Dad. I was truly blessed to have them with me those last few years. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.

The third one is my wife, Robin. There’s a saying, “All wise men marry up.” I sure did! God put us together because He knew I needed help!!! Through the years, Robin has helped me stay true to my calling, raise two beautiful daughters and now three (and soon to be four) wonderful grandchildren, and grow in my walk with the Lord. She challenges me on every subject to make sure that I am biblically based, helps me musically to be all I can be, makes me aware of situations and people about which I need to know (and am oblivious to), and loves me with an everlasting love. I honor her today. Happy Mother’s Day, Robin.

Today, we go to visit Robin’s mom, Janet, and honor her. She turned 87 last week. Her husband, Herb, takes care of her (he’s 90). Janet is one of the instrumental people in Robin’s life.

I pray that today you will honor the women who have been instrumental in you becoming who you are and who have helped you to walk with Jesus. Mom, step-mom, grandmother, aunt–it doesn’t matter the relation, only the relationship.

Abba, thank You for giving me such a special mom. I know she awaits my arrival. Seeing her in the video sure tugs on my heart. I look forward to the day when we will all be together again with You. Whether here or there doesn’t matter to me. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen.