The first miracle Jesus did was at a wedding (John 2:1-12) at the behest of his own mother. Jesus was showing us several things, let’s look at just two. First, he was honoring his mother. Even though His hour had not yet come, He benevolently accommodated His mother’s request. Second, He was honoring marriage. It’s no coincidence that the Bridegroom would usher in His miraculous signs by spreading joy at a marriage ceremony. So much to ponder there. Focus here: in doing this, Jesus manifested His glory (John 2:11). He showed His true colors. With Mother’s Day upon us, dads have a similar opportunity to spread joy and manifest God’s glory by how we bless our wives and mothers.

There are three types of dads in this world. First, there’s the father who totally missed the mark. Second, there’s the dad who’s never messed up. Third, there’s you somewhere in the middle. In this week’s post, writer and pastor Lynn Pryor looks at all three types of dads to see what we can learn.

This week, your Along the Trail section is being brought to you by: the Honor the Moms in Your Life Corporation (which, doesn’t really exist, but if it did, I know you’d be a charter member).

1. Honor your wife, the mother of your children – get flowers, prep a special dinner, buy her a gift, spend the day doing what she’d like to do. Get your kids to write her notes of appreciation.

2. Honor your mother – if you’re mom’s alive, go see her or get on a ZOOM call. If she’s passed, tell your family a story about how she served, persevered, or overcame something in her life.

3. Honor your mother-in-law – see above, repeat.

4. Honor your kids’ birth moms – maybe you’re divorced, separated, or a widower. Do something to call out the best in what your children’s birth mom did or tried to do.

Crush Mother’s Day. OK, that sounds odd. But, I mean crush it in the good way. Own it, rule it, dominate it, conquer it, make it cry like a baby and wish it weren’t born. OK, that’s worse. Whatever. This Mother’s Day, show your kids (and everyone else, btw) that you are a man who honors your own mother as well as the mother of your children. The example you set in this area can pay huge dividends for generations to come, crusher.

Make it a great week,

Kent Evans
Author of the The Manhood Journey, co-founder of Manhood Journey and Father On Purpose.

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

Forward this to a dad you know who needs some encouragement.