Being a mother is no doubt the most fulfilling job, but the hardest too. We as mothers are the ones who set the attitude that will be in our homes. What kind of example are we setting? I will be the first to admit that my example isn’t always what I want it to be.
Our ministers, Kyle Idelman and Dave Stone, had an awesome sermon this weekend. When you go to church on Mother’s Day don’t you expect to be praised? Well, tonight I was convicted of just how much I’m not doing right. I thank them for always reminding me of just what it is that I need to be doing like; expecting obedience-Ephesians 6:1, requiring respect-Ephesians 6:2-3, to love thoughtfully-Ephesians, and spiritually influence Ephesians 6:4.
Expecting obedience, I don’t think that is to awful hard to expect, but it is hard to teach. When they learn to obey you they are also learning to obey their Heavenly Father. What a challenge for us as moms. To teach obedience in our home we have to help them understand that our authority comes from God. That way they see that by learning to obey us is the same as them obeying God.
Requiring respect, that is the one that I feel I am all over. My kids know that I expect respect. By showing obedience they are showing the action of respect and by honoring thy mother and father they are showing the attitude of respect. What a “light bulb moment” for me. I love this explanation of respect. Respecting their earthly father is an essential part of what we as moms should be showing at home. Wow, that is convicting. I want to work really hard from now on to make sure that my children respect their dad!!!! Respect goes both ways: we should respect our children too. We should not frustrate our children. We should always make sure that we encourage them. Our children need to hear on a daily basis that we are proud of them. Dave and Kyle interviewed their mothers as part of the sermon. Dave’s mom said she gave both of her children 30 minutes of time with her to do whatever they wanted. What a great idea!!! Of course I have five children that would be a lot of time if they wanted theirs on the same day. I guess if it is a God think then the timing will be perfect.
Dave Stone said, “It won’t matter 50 years from now where your child went to college, but it will matter if they have a relationship with Christ.” Your Spiritual influence as a mother should be primary not secondary. Spiritual influence should be intentional and unintentional. We should take all the opportunities we are given to teach our children about the Lord. I home school my children, but I fall short on this. I put every “important” subjects first. We should take those small teachable moments and use them, intentionally sit down and read God’s Word to our children. Our lives should be showing our love for Christ at all times. Our own “quiet time” is essential to not only to us, but to our children. Let’s face it we can’t get through one day without God’s help. Think about the number of times though out the day that you call out to God for help, with praise, or frustration. If we aren’t building our relationships with Him will they? Are they going to see what we are doing or saying and question if a relationship with Christ is really important?
My prayer for you and myself is that we would harder than we do now on our job, Mom. There is no other job as fulfilling as being a mom even when you feel unappreciated. We have to remember that that God has ordained us in the role. We are what he wants us to be and he wants us to do the best job for our children. I am awed at the responsibility God has given me to raise five children up to know Him. Maybe they won’t completely know their multiplication tables by heart; they will completely have Him in their heart.
Hoping that you all have a very blessed Mothers Day!!
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6
Our ministers, Kyle Idelman and Dave Stone, had an awesome sermon this weekend. When you go to church on Mother’s Day don’t you expect to be praised? Well, tonight I was convicted of just how much I’m not doing right. I thank them for always reminding me of just what it is that I need to be doing like; expecting obedience-Ephesians 6:1, requiring respect-Ephesians 6:2-3, to love thoughtfully-Ephesians, and spiritually influence Ephesians 6:4.
Expecting obedience, I don’t think that is to awful hard to expect, but it is hard to teach. When they learn to obey you they are also learning to obey their Heavenly Father. What a challenge for us as moms. To teach obedience in our home we have to help them understand that our authority comes from God. That way they see that by learning to obey us is the same as them obeying God.
Requiring respect, that is the one that I feel I am all over. My kids know that I expect respect. By showing obedience they are showing the action of respect and by honoring thy mother and father they are showing the attitude of respect. What a “light bulb moment” for me. I love this explanation of respect. Respecting their earthly father is an essential part of what we as moms should be showing at home. Wow, that is convicting. I want to work really hard from now on to make sure that my children respect their dad!!!! Respect goes both ways: we should respect our children too. We should not frustrate our children. We should always make sure that we encourage them. Our children need to hear on a daily basis that we are proud of them. Dave and Kyle interviewed their mothers as part of the sermon. Dave’s mom said she gave both of her children 30 minutes of time with her to do whatever they wanted. What a great idea!!! Of course I have five children that would be a lot of time if they wanted theirs on the same day. I guess if it is a God think then the timing will be perfect.
Dave Stone said, “It won’t matter 50 years from now where your child went to college, but it will matter if they have a relationship with Christ.” Your Spiritual influence as a mother should be primary not secondary. Spiritual influence should be intentional and unintentional. We should take all the opportunities we are given to teach our children about the Lord. I home school my children, but I fall short on this. I put every “important” subjects first. We should take those small teachable moments and use them, intentionally sit down and read God’s Word to our children. Our lives should be showing our love for Christ at all times. Our own “quiet time” is essential to not only to us, but to our children. Let’s face it we can’t get through one day without God’s help. Think about the number of times though out the day that you call out to God for help, with praise, or frustration. If we aren’t building our relationships with Him will they? Are they going to see what we are doing or saying and question if a relationship with Christ is really important?
My prayer for you and myself is that we would harder than we do now on our job, Mom. There is no other job as fulfilling as being a mom even when you feel unappreciated. We have to remember that that God has ordained us in the role. We are what he wants us to be and he wants us to do the best job for our children. I am awed at the responsibility God has given me to raise five children up to know Him. Maybe they won’t completely know their multiplication tables by heart; they will completely have Him in their heart.
Hoping that you all have a very blessed Mothers Day!!
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6
Happy Mother's Day to you!!
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