A Mom's Identity In ChristExemplo

Day 1: God’s Expectations For Moms

Growing up as a PK (Pastor’s Kid), I watched my parents and their style of parenting in a christian home. I had the typical teenage attitude but yet I was a respectful young girl growing up in a world of high expectations all around. My Mom was poised but when she spoke she said what she meant and meant what she said. I quickly understood their parenting after I became a mother and I’m immensely grateful. As a mother, all I want to do now is to repeat some of the very things they taught to me, to my children. It was not until I pondered to realize this; my mom was simply enacting what God’s expectations were for her to be a mother. As a mom I know I fall short many a days, but God’s wisdom and grace help me to take on each day with my children.

As Mom’s, God’s ultimate goal for us in this role is to love them and ultimately raise them to follow Him. The family is where we as mothers pour into our children with love, words of affirmation and TRUTH (God’s word). In Proverbs 22:6 God calls us to train up our children and set them on the right path so that when they get older, they will not leave or forget their training. Essentially, it's for us to teach them to lead a Godly life. My husband, Matt and I prayed for God to grant us wisdom in this department. We began to give our daughter Nahla memory verses at bedtime. Each night we would recite them until she retained them and then we would add another. Even though she might not understand them right now, she will be carrying them in her heart for the very day she will need one of them. Thus we’re  encouraging her to take steps into a more intimate relationship with Jesus, in addition to her prayers.

In Proverbs 31 we are told about a 'Proverbs 31 Woman,' and how she should show up as a Christ following woman. He’s more than intentional with his words. Provide for the home, clothe her children, open her mouth with wisdom, teach kindness, she is not idle and most of all she fears the Lord. The responsibility and balance is hard but life as christians was never meant to be without its challenges. However, like the Israelites in Psalms 78: 5-7, we know this one thing is true; this life of motherhood reaps a blessed reward that passes down a spiritual inheritance from generation to generation.

PRAYER: Lord God, You are so incredible You've set the standard for my life and know all of my heart's desires. God grant me the wisdom to raise my children in a manner pleasing to you. Jesus, you are my source. Give me the strength to be a God - fearing and discerning mother.

Questions

1.  How has your view of motherhood been shaped? Is it how you want be as a mother? Is it how God wants to see you as a parent?

2.  If you see places within yourself that are not helping you to show up in motherhood the way you would like, what is in your way? Think past the surface and get to the root of it all.

Bible Verses: Psalm 78:5-7; Proverbs 22:6; Proverbs 31:10-31