In honor of Mother’s Day, let me share with you some honest and witty insights found in a recent article.

• My mother taught me religion:  “You’d better pray that will come out of the carpet.”

• My mother taught me irony: “Stop crying or I’ll give you something to cry about.”

• My mother taught me hypocrisy: “If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times, don’t exaggerate!”

• My mother taught me about behavior modification: “Stop acting like your father!”

• My mother taught me about anticipation: “Just wait until we get home.”

• And my favorite—my mother taught me about justice: “One day you’ll have kids and I hope they turn out just like you!”

While pondering these insights, I realized parenting is a very specialized skill. My mother, without question, was the strongest influence of my early life. She instilled in me a good work ethic and accountable integrity. I will forever be grateful for a good mother.

But not all children have strong parental influence. Some children lack the joy of someone helping them with industry and integrity. They lack a stable, Christian environment. They lack a mother’s selfless love.

Fractured lives need fortification from faithful folks. That is why the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes are so vital to our ministry as Florida Baptists. Every faith organization must have a ministry to hurting families to be a complete entity. Without this component we ignore an aspect of Christ’s teaching ministry. We also miss the joy of servanthood.

When I served as a pastor I reminded my congregation on a regular basis, when we care for the children, others will follow—to faith, to commitment, to discipleship.

The Mother’s Day Offering is vital to the caring ministry of the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes. The offering goal for 2005 is $1.2 million. We must give generously to meet the increasing cost of caring for troubled, hurting children. You can be assured that your dollars to the offering will be maximized to meet family needs.

Florida is a state where many children will never learn industry, integrity and even faith if we do not help them find “mothers” who will teach them. Please give generously to the annual Mother’s Day Offering.