FROM THE TOP
LELAND ACKER
The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. This often repeated saying holds more truth than most people realize.

Mothers are special. In a class research project I did in the ninth grade, I learned that Elvis cherished his mother and wanted to make her proud.

Then there are all the country songs about mothers. Merle Haggard sought to clear his mother from all blame in the way he turned out in the song, "Mama Tried."

Two songs come to mind concerning advice mama gives us. The Shirelles recalled in 1961 that "Mama said (There'd be days like this.)" The southern rock group, Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded the advice their mothers gave them in their hit, "Simple Man."

Of course, I would be remiss if I did not recall the parenting advice Willie Nelson offered when he sang, "Mothers, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys." He later added to this advice, singing, "Mama's, tell all your babies, 'Don't mess with Texas.'"

It's good to see Clay Walker back in good health with his humorous hit, "Mama, Before She Was Mama."

NFLquarterback Daunte Culpepper, whose pro-football career is in limbo due to a knee injury and the possibility that Miami may replace him, says he can only think about the declining health of his mother.

When people go on television, they are most likely to say "Hi, mom!"

When people come back home, it is to visit Mama.

Who do first-day school children cry for the most? That's right! Mama.

When I Timothy 2:15 says "Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing," it is not saying that a woman's place is just "birthin' babies." It means that one of the biggest blessings women get is motherhood.

The Proverbs teach that good children are a blessing to their mothers. Psalms 127 says the fruit of the womb is God's reward.

Being a mother is the highest honor a woman can achieve. She is the apple of her children's eyes, the center of their hearts and the subject of song, film and literature.

When a mother decides that being a mother is no longer good enough and prioritizes her life toward secular success, she has not stepped up. She has taken a step down.

We should honor all stay-at-home, working, single and married mothers. Happy Mother's Day, ladies.

Also, happy Mothers Day to all the grandmothers who are rearing their grandchildren.