1. Classy
2. Nice/nice lady
3. Motherly
Of course, "classy" was the word most people used to describe her. The unsettling thing about it for me was the reptuation that "motherly" seems to have. It seemed to imply, well, "not classy, not nice". Classy means stylish, elegant, refinement in grace in movement, manners, or apperance; excellent. So were they implying that motherly means NOT stylish, or refined, NOT excellent???? I simply left viewing the news clip with a bad taste in my mouth feeling sad about how the world seems to view the term "Mother" which means so much to me...and I believe God. Whether they meant to or not there simply seemed to be a negative conotation in the term "motherly." I'd love to change that image! I believe when God created a mother it truly was one of His greatest ideas, one of which reveals His character and His desire for His precious children. Yesterday we chatted about a mom as a builder and creator, made in the image of God. Today, I want to reflect
on a mom being a teacher, made in the image of God.
God is "The Teacher". Listen to His heart:
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8
"This is what the Lord says- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Isreal: I am the Lord your God, who TEACHES you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea." Isaiah 48: 17 & 18
"Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my TEACHING. My Father will love him, and we will cometo him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my TEACHING. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me." John 14:23 &24
Being made in His image and placed here to be His "hands and feet" and to be "useful to the Master" , this is what His Word says about moms as teachers:
"Listen my son, to your Father's instruction and do not forsake your MOTHER'S TEACHING. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck." Proverbs 1:8 & 9
"My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your MOTHER'S TEACHING. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you." Prov. 6:20-22
"A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him." Prov.17:25
"Don't withhold discipline (teaching) from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death." Prov. 23:14
"The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother." Prov. 29:15
"Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul." Prov. 29:17
"The sayings of King Lemuel- an oracle his MOTHER TAUGHT HIM:.....'O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel- not for Kings to drink wine,not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. ...Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31: 1-9
Do you see it? Do you see the beauty and the power we have as a mother teaching our precious children. Are you aware of the window of opportunity we have? It goes soooo fast. If you are a young mom now, NOW IS YOUR WINDOW, YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH YOUR CHILDREN THE WAYS OF THE LORD BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE AND THE WINDOW HAS CLOSED. Do you see that we can teach our children and save their soul from death. We can teach them causing them to bring peace and delight to those around them. This is my greatest desire which therefore causes me the greatest angst when my children do not bring peace and delight. We, as mothers, have the incredibly important job of training our children to be "Kings" and "princesses" and if we do not do our job our children may be a "disgrace". As a mother, we have the potential to bring soooooo much life and peace to our children and to save them from sooo much pain in this world. May we take our job very seriously and see it
for the glorious opportunity it is. My mom taught me many things, before it was too late, and I cannot describe how thankful I am.
These teaching opportunities come all throughout the day......thus making it very important that we spend much time with our children. The other day, we were driving down the road and one of my sons made some comment about the homeless person he saw walking along the street. I very quickly and firmly said, "Boys, the Links NEVER, EVER, EVER, laugh or make fun of a homeless person. Could you imagine what it would be like to have no home? It would be awful! The Links help homeless people, understand?
May we be great teachers just as our Father in heaven teaches us. Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy Joy Link
