Happy Sabbath, friends. I hope you are having a lovely day of rest. It is such a good day to pause and reflect on God’s goodness.
Each season, or each day really, the Lord has revealed more and more to me when it comes to motherhood. You would think after 21 years, I would have it all figured out. But, I don’t. I honestly believe that we are all on a journey, and we should be careful of those who do act like they have everything together. Because all of the goodness we have in life is due to God, plain and simple. All glory should go to Him, and not to ourselves. He is amazing, and I’m so glad to have Him in my life!
Related: When Motherhood is Hard | Facing Rejection
When I was a young mother, I thought I knew more than I actually did. I loved my children fiercely, and was quite the mama bear. Perhaps one day I’ll tell the story of what caused me to be that way. Not much has changed in that regard, but I have learned more about what my children need from me as they grow.
They need a listener and an someone who encourages them. Now, I am not going to encourage my children in all situations. If what they are doing goes against God’s Word, I would never encourage that! But in general, they need me to be quiet, and to actually listen to what they have to say. They need me to encourage the hopes and dreams that God has put in their heart.
While my intentions are always good, sometimes the simple busy-ness of our household is distracting to me. There are times when I do not listen to my children’s hearts as closely as I should.
For example, I could be in a conversation with my older daughter when Moses and Mabrey begin arguing over a toy. The conversation is cut short, and sometimes doesn’t pick up at the same point.
Or, possibly my opinion about a matter is so strong, that I fail to understand what my child is trying to say to me. This is a shame!
I want to be a woman after God’s own heart, and to grow more and more in His ways each day. I want to be a light that encourages my children to do the same!
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath…
James 1:19
Friends, our ears should be swift to hear, and our mouths slow to speak. Earlier in the week, a couple of my older children let me know that whenever a certain topic came up, I give the same speech each time. Now, of course it is good to give godly council whenever we can. But if we automatically speak without actually listening (like I was doing), then it is not good.
Related: Hope for Our Children
A godly woman will have the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. This is very precious in God’s sight! I want the words that come our of my mouth to be gentle and quiet. These types of words will be a blessing to those who hear them.
“Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord.”
1 Peter 3:1-6
Yes. This is what I want my children to see. As I’m growing in motherhood, I hope the Lord will continue to mold me into His image.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
Thank you for sharing!
It’s my pleasure, Olivia!