050721 The Great Need for Godly Mothers!

The Great Need for Godly Mothers!

 

Sunday, May 9, is the day that the world has set aside to honor

mothers who discharge their responsibilities toward their children

with great love, wisdom, and devotion.

Today, more than any time in history, our society needs the influence

of godly mothers. This writer is thankful to God for both a mother and

grandmother who taught me God’s truth, not only verbally, but by

example as well.

Mothers, do you want to be a godly mother in the Lord’s eyes as well

as in the eyes of your children?

Here are six great needs that need to be visible in your life:

 

1) Model Yourself after Godly Mothers

Strive to be as humble as Mary (Luke 1-52), as prayerful as Hannah

(1 Samuel 1:1-28; 1 Samuel 2:1-11), as faithful as Sarah (Genesis 17:19;

Genesis 18:11; Genesis 18:9-14; Hebrews 11:11), as kind as Ruth

(Ruth 1-3), as sacrificial as Jochebed (Exodus 6:20; Exodus 2:1-3),

as courageous as Rahab (Joshua 2:1-22), as instructive as Eunice

and Lois (2 Timothy 1:5), as wise as the mother of Lemuel (Proverbs 31:1-9),

as joyful as Elizabeth (Luke 1:36-44). Rise to the challenge of being the kind

of person you would want your children to imitate, by imitating these righteous

women.

 

2) Obey the Lord Yourself

It’s pointless to try to persuade your children to do what God commands

if they don’t see you obeying Him in all that you do. There’s much truth

in the old axiom that states, “Children become what they see”

(cf. Philippians 4:9; Philippians 3:17). If you want your children to grow

into faithful Christians, they need to “see” their mother faithfully following

Christ. Children come equipped with a powerful hypocrisy detector and are

not easily fooled by any “do as I say and not as I do” behavior.

 

3) Teach Your Children God’s Word

Moses instructed the Israelites with God’s wise counsel, “These words

which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them

diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,

when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up”

(Deuteronomy 6:6-7 KJV). The world has much to reach your children…

you have to get to them first. And note the word “diligently” in the above

passage. This means “more often than once in a blue moon.”

 

4) Honor Your Own Parents and Husband

If you want your children to respect you, they need to see you show the

proper honor to your parents, living or deceased. The principle found in

Ephesians 6:1-3, has lifelong application. If you want your children to

eventually become loving husbands or wives, they need to observe your

example in the conduct of your own marriage. Let them see the truth and

beauty of Ephesians 5:22-33 at work in your home.

 

5) Encourage Your Children Often

Children, like flowers in the garden, need nurturing. Let your children “hear”

that they are loved and valued, and let them hear it often. Praise their good

efforts, and help them learn from their mistakes. Show them that you regard

them as a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3).

 

6) Rebuke When Necessary

Don’t be afraid to admonish your children for wrongdoing (Proverbs 13:24;

Proverbs 22:15; Proverbs 23:13). Correction must be done without breaking

the child’s spirit, but if the child never receives correction, he or she cannot

mature (Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 22:15; Proverbs 23:13;

Proverbs 29:15; Proverbs 29:17). Respect for the laws of God and society

grow out of a healthy respect for the authority of parents in the home.

The joys and blessings received by children who have experienced a godly

mother and grandmother, cannot be over emphasized (cf. 2 Timothy 1:5;

2 Timothy 3:15). In the words of the old song, “Put them all together, they

spell M-O-T-H-E-R.” Next to “Christian,” it’s the most beautiful title any woman

on earth can wear.

 

- Mike Riley