Do I have to?

Mother’s Day is coming up, and let’s face it: We all have conflict with our mothers at one time or another. But there’s something about motherhood that we as teenagers cannot understand.

You know how our moms always answer our questions with, “Because I said so?” I don’t know about you, but this really frustrates me. I want to know why. As a parent, our mothers realize that we will not understand their explanations. Even if they try to tell us why, we still will not want to do the task at hand. This is part of being a mother: wisely guiding your child even when they think their way trumps your own.

Now, being a teenager is obviously different. When my mom asks me to clean the dishes, I usually grumble and complain. Why do I need to do this? I think to myself. But there’s one thing we always need to remember:

Mom is right.

Even if she messes up, she wisely messes up. It’s not easy to raise kids. Of course the road is going have a few potholes along the way. That being said, she is in authority. She drives us, the passenger, to the places she feels are best. She may even get lost along the way, but we submit to her. We trust that she loves us and only wants what will benefit us. A mother’s heart is not to hurt her children, even though that may happen in the process of the drive.

Don’t let your hurt or anger get in the way of showing your mother the love you have for her. Get creative. Make her something that she can treasure forever. No matter what you do, don’t forget that God has placed us under our mothers. Things will work out under her authority.

“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you” (Romans 13:1-3, NLT)