A Mother and Daughter

Share Now

As a history writer, I use Google almost every day. I rarely pay attention to the Google Doodle. When I do pay attention, I am sometimes delighted; but sometimes the worldview makes me sad. The Google Doodle on August 13 was delightful. That day’s image was the winning entry of the Doodle for Google contest. The winner was a recent high school valedictorian from Georgia. Her prize was a $30,000 college scholarship.

The Doodle was the word “Google” with an oval drawing replacing the second O. The drawing featured a solid lavender oval. Over the oval at the top was a framed photograph of a mother and her baby. The mother wore a blue and white print and the baby wore pink. At the bottom of the oval was a drawing of the baby as a grown up woman wearing a blue and white print dress. Her hands were on the shoulders of an old woman wearing a white blouse and a pink sweater.

The winner explained that the framed drawing is a based on a real photograph of her and her mother that hangs in their home. The bottom picture illustrates a time in the future when the roles are reversed and the daughter is taking care of her mother. The theme of this year’s Doodle for Google contest was “When I grow up, I hope . . . ” The teen titled her Doodle, “Once you get it, give it back.”

The sentiment of the Doodle for Google winner is a biblical one. As Paul wrote to Timothy:

Honor widows who are widows indeed; 
 but if any widow has children or grandchildren,
 they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family
and to make some return to their parents;
for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
2 Timothy 5:3-4

Jesus talked about this in an encounter with some Pharisees and scribes:

Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,
“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders?
For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”
And He answered and said to them,
“Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God
for the sake of your tradition?
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and,
‘He who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.’
But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother,
“Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God,”
he is not to honor his father or his mother.’
And by this you invalidated the word of God
for the sake of your tradition.
You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:
‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me.
‘But in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”
Matthew 15:1-9

I recently met a precious homeschooling mama who cared for her mama in increasing ways for 22 years. Most mamas long to live their entire lives without needing a caregiver, but still they long for close, loving, and attentive relationships with their children.

As Mr. Rogers used to say, “There are many ways to say, ‘I love you.'” Some daughters are called to honor their mamas with 24/7 care; other daughters honor their mamas in other ways that fit the particular situation that is best for each person involved. Honoring our mothers and caring for them is something to plan for in the future and something to do in little ways from now until then. Even if our mothers are not living anymore, we can honor their memory, keep their good teachings close to our hearts, and live every day to honor those lessons.

My son, observe the commandment of your father
And do not forsake the teaching of your mother;
Bind them continually on your heart;
Tie them around your neck.
When you walk about, they will guide you;
When you sleep, they will watch over you;
And when you awake, they will talk to you.
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;
And reproofs for discipline are the way of life
Proverbs 6:20-23

Share Now