Mom: There's No Substitute for You

[ English | Vietnamese ]

"I love my home!" said a little girl bounding into the living room. A visitor asked why her home was so special. For the moment the girl paused. Then she ran over to her mother, threw her arms around her and said, "I guess it's just you, Mom."

Mothers, ask God to make you worthy of your children's affection and confidence. He had a purpose in entrusting their early years into your hands. Your love and example is the soil in which their young lives will take root.

Studies show that the years of one through six are the most formative years in developing a child's personality. And by the age of sixteen, most young people have made the spiritual decisions that will shape the rest of their lives.

Thank God that He has not left you to figure out for yourself what must be done to build your child's immortal soul and fit it for eternity. He has given you His textbook, the Bible. Reading it, plus much prayer, is the secret to wise parenting.

How does the Bible describe the mother that pleases God? She possesses a sense of spiritual values: faith, courage, prayer, wisdom, joy, trust-worthiness, dedication, kindness, reverence. (Read Exodus 2:2, 1 Samuel 1:12, Proverbs 31:26, Psalm 113:9, Proverbs 31:11).

She is productive: she keeps her house in good order, passes on God's Word, plans ahead, does good, comforts, disciplines (puts up the STOP SIGN when needed), reflects on God's Word. (Read Proverbs 31:27, Psalm 78:4-5, Proverbs 31:12, Isaiah 66:13, Luke 2:19.)

If this sounds like a big order for you, it is. But you don't have to do it on your own. Jesus Christ wants to give you the inner vitality that you daily need. If you will trust Him as Lord of your life, He will walk with you every step of the way.

He promises, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

With Christ's help, make the brief years that you have with your children count for eternity. Daily hold your life before the white light of God's Word. Clean out your spiritual wardrobe. Place people before things. Be an example. If you do this, Mom, what a tremendous inner joy and reward will be yours.

There were four preachers in the family of Dr. G. Campbell Morgan. At a family reunion a friend asked, "Which Morgan is the greatest preacher?" One son looked at his father, then replied, "Mother."

Let your life be a message that your children will never forget.

Mom, there's no substitute for you!

© 2002 Good News Publishers. Used by permission.
Translated by permission of Good News Publishers
1300 Crescent Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
U.S.A.