I talked a lot about what God's design for us as moms is. And about what he lays out in the Bible as our roles in the home as moms. Since I am type A, I tend to lean towards looking for the "how" or a "plan." But the "how" and the "plan" really mean nothing without the "why." The "why" God wants us to do this is what will get us through. It is the meaning, the point, the mission. It will help us as moms to keep following the "plan" and the "how."
For me as a mom it is important to know what God has laid on Cale's heart for our family's mission. Then I can take that and know what my portion of that mission is based on how God directs me in His word. For our family in a nutshell it is:
1. Winning Our Kid's Hearts Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
2. Teaching and modeling how to have a personal relationship with the Lord.
John 17:3 Now this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
AND
Ephesians 3:16-19 I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
3. Helping our kids take what talents God has given them and teaching and directing them how to use those to glorify God and minister to others. Romans 12:6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
4. Building a strong Biblical foundation and teaching them to filter everything through the truth. The goal being that as they get older they will be able to do this on their own.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. (I love this verse. This is what we pray our children will be able to do when they are "released" into the world.)
5. Teaching them how to pass all the above on when they have their own families one day. This looks different for Caleb and for Caroline and Charlotte since they will have different roles. But the principle is the same. Deuteronomy 6:1-2 These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again 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.
Deuteronomy 6:20-25 In the future your children will ask you, ‘What is the meaning of these laws, decrees, and regulations that the Lord our God has commanded us to obey?’ “Then you must tell them, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand. The Lord did miraculous signs and wonders before our eyes, dealing terrifying blows against Egypt and Pharaoh and all his people. He brought us out of Egypt so he could give us this land he had sworn to give our ancestors. And the Lord our God commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear him so he can continue to bless us and preserve our lives, as he has done to this day. For we will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands the Lord our God has given us.
Now my type A can come back in. I can take the "why" above and make those lists, write down the verses God gives me to have direction, and make those plans. Then I can pray, pray, pray and hopefully listen to the Holy Spirit's directing. Cause there's no way I can make any of this happen on my own.
2 comments:
I understood completely where you were coming from, I don't think you need to clarify a thing;)
I like how you've said it's important to know what GOD has laid on your husbands heart for your family mission....So important. And, before we can raise Godly children, we need to paint a picture to our children of what a Godly marriage is about. Then and only then can God's spirit move in the family and can it be all He wants it to be.
I sure hope others are reading your posts here. They are really good.
Matter of fact, I'm gonna link up with you today.
Love,
Amanda
LOL - I just read Amanda's comment :0) I am popping over here for the first time thru her link from Homegrown&Beeyoutiful :)
Just want to tell you I'm glad to have found your blog! I enjoyed your post...you've encouraged me today! I've been looking for a good book on motherhood (esp since my oldest is approaching his teen years)...now I think for sure I'm gonna have to find a copy of Sally's book :)
Thanks for sharing!
Collette
Post a Comment