My Momma Said…

No one appreciates attacks to their worldview!

When a college professor asked about the scientific reason for alligator aggression, Bobby Boucher (the character played by Adam Sandler in The Water Boy) replied, "Mama says that alligators are ornery 'cause they got all them teeth but no tooth brush." The entire class erupted in laughter.

Then the professor asked, "Now, is there anybody here that can tell me where happiness comes from? Anyone?" Bobby shoots his hand in the air again despite the discouragement from his classmate. "Alright, let's hear what Mama has to say on the subject."

"Mama say that happiness is from magic rays of sunshine that come down when you're feeling blue." Bobby smiles. The class laughed again.

The professor mocked, "Well, Mama's wrong again!"

As anger wells up inside Bobby, he retorted, "No Colonel Sanders, you're wrong...Mama's right!" And he violently tackled the professor to the floor.

Challenging someone's worldview can be quite dangerous - especially views learned over a lifetime of home teaching.

I want to shift the train of thought and give a loud shout out to Mamas everywhere. Your influence matters. You are superheros! Amid the bottles, diapers, and tears, you may not realize it. But you are! Superheros! I say this to my wife, my daughter, my daughters-in-law, my step-mother, and my own Mama in heaven. You Rock!

While Mama Boucher may have been wrong about the source of happiness or alligator aggression, home teaching from my Mama has guided me through rough storms and troubled times.  As a child and teenager, I watched her read her Bible almost every day. I heard her pray. I watched her show compassion. I saw her faith in Jesus. She was right...not perfect...but right to teach me those things by words and actions.

To all Mamas out there....Don't forget your influence in the world through your children and families. It matters!

I love this stanza from the poem written by William Ross Wallace entitled, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle:

Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Your influence may protect and guide your family when their home teaching comes under attack. Get ready...because it will.