Exemplary Life

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.  2 Timothy 1:5  ESV

Mothers definitely deserve honor for all they do for their family, but there are also some things that mothers should give to their families as well.

The first gift you should present to your children is to be the kind of person you want them to be! You must give them a Christian example in what you say and do. Notice how a little girl mimics her mother. If Mom wears high heels, she will slip into them also. She will stand before the mirror and pretend to put on makeup. The child wants to be like Mother in every way.

For this reason, it is your sacred duty as a mother to live an exemplary life in word and deed. You have the power to influence your child for good or evil, so you must be a Christian example in your home. It is sad, but true, a negative example can come simply through carelessness.

This does not mean that we should not live authentically in front of our children.   They should see us fail and apologize so that they know what grace is.  They need to know that everyone fails sometimes and it is not the end of the world.  You get up and go again.  But we should strive for the most part to live out the example of Christ to them.

As a mom, you are one of the most powerful influences on your child's life through your words and deeds. Are you giving them a Christian example? Do they see you pray and read the Bible? Do they hear you witness to your love for Christ? Do they see you serve him in the way you live? If they do, your children will grow up to call you "blessed," as we read in Proverbs 31.

Your Time
The second gift you can give your child is your time! Each one of us knows how hectic life is these days. There are more demands on us and our time than ever before. And the sad result of all the time-consuming activity in our society is that we leave such precious little time for our children.

Psalm 127 says, "Children are a gift from the Lord." They are a gift which must be nourished, cared for, trained, and disciplined. And that takes time - lots of time. Children must take priority over social engagements, clubs, adult activities, and in some cases, even work. Your children need you more than they need clothes. They need you more than they need a new bicycle or more toys. They need you - your time, your attention, and your affection - more than they need any other thing on earth.

Motherhood, like fatherhood, is a full-time job - a full-time opportunity, one which demands many sacrifices. One of the best things you can possibly give your children is your time, because in giving your time, you give yourself.

Scripture to Claim:
Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children…
Deuteronomy 4:9