Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV) Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.
Deuteronomy 11:18-20 (NLT) So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. … Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates…
Joshua 24:15 (NLT) But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. … But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Psalm 71:18 (NIV) Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.
Today I’d like to take a few moments to reach out to moms both young and old and share a little piece of my heart with you. I believe with every fiber of my being that if we are willing and observant, God will strategically place us with other moms who are ready to encourage and support us or lead us to moms to whom we can offer encouragement and support. Either way, these are opportunities to learn and grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. For me, the place I seem to be drawn to today is a little place called “Mom.”
Within the past several months I have personally grown closer to three moms who have at some point recently lost either an older child or an adult child. I cannot fully grasp their sorrow other than to understand the loss of close family members. But I do know that God understands and he comforts them. Additionally, I have grown closer to four other moms who have adult children veering away from following the Lord. In each case, these are wonderful young adults accomplishing much in their chosen fields and careers; but for whatever reason, they just don’t seem to have time or inclination to follow the Christian roots established by their families. To watch a child (of any age) wander from the truth of God is a pain for a mother’s heart that cuts deep to the very core. These moms wish they could fix everything for their children, but they cannot. My heart also reaches out to the moms in Ukraine (and in some of our own major cities) who watch as their precious, innocent, little children fall victims to violence and evil times. Finally, there are the young moms and new moms who struggle to do the best for their children in a world with crazy topsy-turvy priorities and values.
As the old adage goes… “So what’s a mother to do?” For older moms with adult children, you just keep loving them and praying for them. You realize within yourself that you will never be able to make decisions for them even if you could, so you step back and turn your children over to God. They are precious to you, and they are so precious to God that he sent his only begotten Son to provide for their salvation. Never stop praying for your children no matter what their age may be.
James 5:16 (NLT) … The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
For moms with younger children, first I would recommend that you take off your “Super Mom” cape. Stop criticizing yourself for every little imperfection. If needed, check your calendar and take a few responsibilities “off your plate” knowing within your heart that it is okay to say, “No” to so many obligations that require your time away from family. Now is the time to focus on teaching your children all the things you hope they remember later in life. Public schools do not teach Creationism—so as you walk or play in the park, point out all the intricacies of God’s amazing creation. Give them a love for science, but more importantly a love for the God who created it. Teach them kindness—a rare gift these days. Learn simple Bible verses together. These may become life guides to them when they are older. Teach them to pray—never stop praying for them, or with them. Remember, your children are precious to you, and they are so precious to God that he sent his only begotten Son to provide for their salvation.
For all moms I encourage you and leave you with this final thought: Never give up. Stay true to what matters the most—our Heavenly Father. There is always hope. You are blessed with a fresh start each day.
Lamentations 3:21-23 (NLT) Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
You know how my heart cries out for moms today. Comfort the moms who have lost a child and help them find purpose in comforting others. Reassure the moms of adult children who seem to be ignoring you. Strengthen the moms who struggle to balance raising a child in today’s crazy mixed-up world. Help them to remain true to the things that matter most in life—the unseen Christian values of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control—which ultimately come from you.
In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, Amen.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT) So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
My heart tells me this is also true for raising children.
The devotional Message for Moms appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
