Mother's Day Lessons from Myra Earley

May 5, 2025

My Mom almost died a week ago from a blood clot. The doctors, nurses, and their support team did a great job. God also stepped in and decided He was not done with Mom yet. My Mom also has severe memory loss, and can’t remember what happened two minutes ago, but she is still an amazing woman of faith, and let’s God use her.

My whole life she has lived by Ephesians 4:29, which says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” I’ve never heard Mom say a bad thing about someone else, but far more important, I have seen Mom say amazing compliments, words of encouragement, and rich blessings over people that have changed their lives.

A few weeks ago, I took my parents to a restaurant. Our waitress was what I would consider a plain Jane (no offense to all you beautiful Janes out there). She looked tired, and seemed to be going through the waitress motions. After ordering our meal Mom grabbed our waitress’s arm and said, “I just want you to know, you have the most beautiful hair.” She did have beautiful hair, but I hadn’t noticed. Our waitress had the biggest grin on her face as she nearly danced off to her other tables. She had a joyful countenance the entire night.

It wasn’t just that Mom complimented her. It seemed to be the perfect compliment, straight from God. She does it all the time, and two minutes later, she could not tell you what she said. They say that as we get older our strongest traits are multiplied. This is true for Mom as she now goes through life complimenting people wherever she is.

About thirty years ago I decided I wanted to be like Mom in this way. I learned that I had to learn to be thankful for ALL things (I Thessalonians 5:18) so I could celebrate other’s success instead of being jealous. I had to learn to love God, love others, and love myself (Matthew 22:37-40) so I could love my enemies and pray for my persecutors (Matthew 5:44), and I had to grow in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), so I could be comfortable in my own skin. All that sounds good, but I’ve been working on these for thirty years, and just hanging around Mom for thirty minutes teaches me I have more to learn.

Finally, I have learned you have got to say it: with a card, a note, in a newsletter, in front of a crowd, in a private moment, with a great shout. You have to look for opportunities to build other’s up. I know my mom does because here is what happens when I walk through Forest Springs. Employees say to me, “You are Myra Earley’s son aren’t you? She is amazing. She always tells me how wonderful I am… How important I am… How indispensable I am…” Think how many times in your life people have complimented you for a job well done. Few people say words to build others up, so few people hear words that build them up.

I went to the head nurse on Mom’s floor two days after she came back from the hospital, and asked if she knew Mom’s medical situation? She not only knew it she had carefully studied it. I asked, “Do you think she will move back on the wing with Dad?” This is something I never thought would happen because of her blood clots and weakness.

She responded, “Absolutely!” She knew it would happen because she was committed to overseeing Mom’s care to see that it will happen. She has never said it in words, but her actions clearly communicate she loves my mother deeply. It brings a tear to my eyes to remember this precious conversation. She knows Mom will move back because my favorite nurse wants it to happen. She wants mom back on her floor!

When was the last time you shared words to build someone else up? Can you do this at least once a day for your spouse? Your children? When you are at work do you look for opportunities to bless your coworkers with your words? Do you think of yourself as someone who encourages others? I cannot guarantee God will use you to bless everyone around you if you have memory loss, but I can guarantee God will use you along the way to change the lives of countless people around you, all to the glory of God. (To learn more about Al Earley or read previous articles, see www.lagrangepres.org. You can purchase my book, My Faith Journal, at Amazon.com, a compilation of 366 articles as a daily devotional).