Call Your Mama!

In the late 1970’s a TV commercial for AT&T featured the legendary Alabama football coach Bear Bryant. He was sitting in his office, wearing his signature crimson sweater, and talking about the importance of his players keeping in touch with their families.

The commercial was supposed to end with Bryant simply asking the audience, "Have you called your mama today?"

But, after delivering the scripted line, while the film was still rolling, Bryant paused and spontaneously added, "I sure wish I could call mine." 

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The production crew was so moved by the sincerity of the moment—knowing that Bryant's mother, Ida Mae, had passed away many years prior—that they decided to keep the unscripted remark in the final cut.

It turned a standard corporate advertisement into one of the most memorable and emotionally resonant commercials in television history.

My mother passed away a little over 26 years ago. Now, every Mother’s Day I think, “I wish I could call my Mama.” The first Mother’s Day after her passing was hard for me, but I decided that from that day on… I would celebrate the mother of my children and what a gift she is to our family.

In John 19:26-27 while dying on the cross, Jesus addressed his mother Mary & the disciple John.

He said, “Woman, behold your son!” to Mary, and to John, “Behold your mother!”, indicating that John would take care of Mary after his death.

Today, whether your mom is still living, or like mine, deceased, take this time to pray to God and thank HIM for the gift he gave you in Jesus and the gift he gave you in your mother.

Oh, and one more thing - If your mom is still living, but not going to be with you today… Go home and call your Mama! I sure wish I could call mine.