A Mother’s Responsibility

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Yesterday we posed a question, “What does God require of me?”

God requires different things from different people and at different seasons of our lives, His requirements may change. Today let us look at mothers of young children. This scripture in Proverbs is not a guarantee that if we do everything right as a mother, that our children will never depart from our teaching. We know it does not always work out that way.

A better interpretation of Solomon’s words would be that we find out what gifts and talents our children possess and then do everything we can to help them develop those gifts and use them for the glory of God.

We rely on our schools to instruct our children the three “R’s – reading, ‘riting, and “rithmetic.”  Perhaps we should consider the following “R’s” that God requires.

• Respect — Children learn from example. If in the home they see that their parents respect each other, they will learn respect. Show them that you respect your pastor, and other leaders in your life and they will learn to respect their teachers and others that are over them.
• Responsibility – Teach them from an early age that as a part of the family, they have obligations to fulfill. So many young people grow up with no work ethic, because they did not learn it in their home.
• Righteousness – Let your children see you reading the Bible and hear you praying. Take time to read the Word and pray with them. Teach them that they can bring their needs to the Lord and that He will hear and answer their prayer.

The greatest thing that a mother can accomplish in life, is to raise a child to love and serve God, in whatever capacity the Lord leads them. Time does not permit us to delve into this more; but take time to study God’s Word and seek His guidance as you minister to these precious souls that God has placed in your hands for a season.

Prayer: Lord Jesus bless all the mothers who are reading this today. Show them each day what you require as they raise their children to love and serve you.

Devotion by Anne Johnston