Four brothers left home for college, and they became very successful as doctors, a lawyer and a businessman. Some years later, they talked after having dinner together. They discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who lived far away in another city.
The first said, “I had a big house built for mama.”
The second said, “I had a hundred thousand dollar theater built in the house.”
The third said, “I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her.”
The fourth said, “You know how mama loved reading the Bible and you know she can’t read any more because she can’t see very well. I met this pastor who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took 20 preachers 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000 a year for 10 years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it.”
The other brothers were impressed. After Mother’s Day, the woman sent out her thank you notes. She wrote, “Milton, the house you built is so huge. I live in one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway.”
“Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home, I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks.”
“Michael, you gave me an expensive theater that could hold 50 people, but all my friends are like me, we have lost our hearing and are nearly blind. I never use it, but thank you for the gesture just the same.”
“Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious! Thank you.”
What would be a good gift to your mother this year? I am one of four sons. My mom is in heaven today but she had a wonderful love for the Lord. I remember her telling all of us — “The best gift you can give me is to love Jesus as your Savior, live your life to serve Him, be a good and godly man, love and raise your family for Him and I will be the happiest mother of all.” Plan on being a Mother’s Day gift for your mom!
Dr. David Bouler of Global Faith Ministries, Chattanooga, Tennessee, contributed this column to the Journal Review. He can be reached by email at debouler@aol.com.
