Saturday, May 12, 2012

Mother's Day

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. We planned to visit my mother and my husband's mother some today, but our plans changes due to a sick child. I started thinking about what many women want for Mother's Day. I would think many responses would be along the lines of: a day to just rest, to take a nap, breakfast in bed, for the rest of the family to do fix dinner/do the chores, time to read a book in peace, a girls' afternoon, etc. Nothing that costs much, just some rest.

Then, I thought about me personally. Yes, all those above ideas sound nice. I think I always want to spend a fun, yet quieter day with my family, possibly a little break to read a book and/or nap in the hammock, but I'm really not too picky. Quieter day, meaning fewer chores and things that "have" to get done, fewer responsibilities than just loving on and being loved by my family.

So, this year we have a sick child. Last year, I don't remember what happened for sure, but I seem to remember that it was not a break from motherly responsibilities. Maybe it was a sick kid; maybe it was tough behavior to discipline; I just don't remember, but it doesn't matter.

You know, I think I actually prefer it this way, though. What better to do on Mother's Day than the very thing that makes me a mother, the very reasons that Mother's Day is celebrated? I love caring for my husband and children. I'm glad to know that I am able to fix dinner, wash dishes, put things away, bathing kids, teach them, etc. I think it is a blessing and a reminder of my purpose with my family.

Here are some Bible verses that I found related to this:
  • Proverbs 31:27-28 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 
  • Psalm 127:3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
  • Proverbs 17:6 Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. 
  • Titus 2:4-5 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. 
  • Deuteronomy 6:5-9 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. 
  • Deuteronomy 11:18-21 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. 
  • Proverbs 22:16 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

I don't take my responsibilities as a mother lightly. I believe God has spoken to me clearly about what he wants me to do in regards to raising my children - through the Bible and through some mentors.

Here is a good website article I found this morning while thinking about this topic: www.gotquestions.org/mothers_Christian.html. I love that it breaks down into seven commands for Christian mothers - availability, involvement, teaching, training, discipline, nurture, modeling with integrity.

Here are a couple articles by Rachel Jankovic that a dear friend shared with me yesterday.
http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/motherhood-is-a-calling-and-where-your-children-rank
http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/motherhood-is-application 

 I just looked a little more and here is one that really touches my heart and makes me say "Yes, that's me! That's what I'm doing!"



And, to close, here are two more verses about what I want for my children:
  • Proverbs 23:15-16 My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
  • 3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Happy Mother's Day tomorrow to all the mothers out there. I pray that you are aware of many of your blessings and that those around you are aware of blessings you bring to their lives as well. May you have joy.