Tomorrow is Mother’s Day, and I’d to share a few things I picked up over the years that I think are pertinent to celebrating this wonderful day.

See if any of these ring a bell with you.

My mother taught me religion. "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

My mother taught me logic. "Because I said so, that's why.”

She taught me foresight. "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

My mother taught me irony. "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.”

She taught me about the science of osmosis. "Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

My mother taught me about contortionism. "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

My mother taught me about stamina. "You'll sit there until you finish dinner."

How about hypocrisy. "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

My mother taught me the circle of life. "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

My mother taught me about behavior modification. "Stop acting like your father!"

My mother taught me about anticipation. "Just wait until your father gets home."

My mother taught me medical science. "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

My mother taught me wisdom. "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

And my favorite: My mother taught me about justice. "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

But of course, mothers are not only good teachers, they are also sinful humans.

“One day, a little girl is sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly notices that her mother has several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?" she asks. Her mother replies, "Well, every time you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white." The little girl thinks about this awhile, then asks, "So how come all of Grandma’s hairs are white?"

On a serious note, let’s focus on John 15:13 where Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.” Our sin caused Jesus’ death … that’s the ultimate example of laying down your life isn’t it?

I know my mother would lay down her life for a friend if she had to. I’d be willing to bet that most mothers would do the same. Willing to make any sacrifice on behalf of someone else, most often for your kids? And sacrifice is something that goes beyond the door to your home. It means doing the same for your neighbor as well.

In Lake County we are desperately trying to make whatever sacrifice is necessary to renew the towns around the lake. It is not only a matter of necessity, it is also for the sake of pride in our communities.

Just like our mothers sacrificed for us, so too we must sacrifice for the those who need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ in Lake County and beyond. We will talk more about this Sunday.

Join us this Sunday, May 13, for a Mother’s Day celebration in worship.

Bible study begins at 9:30 a.m. with worship at 11 a.m. and a wonderful lunch following worship.

Chris DelCol is pastor of First Lutheran Church in Lucerne, Calif. The church is located at 3863 Country Club Drive, telephone 707-274-5572.