A Mother's Strength

A Mother's Strength

A principle regarding a woman's strength is: "A mother's strength should be spent on her children."

Proverbs 31:13-31 says "She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Herr husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it: and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."

1 Timothy 5: 14 says, "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully."  Titus 2:4-5 says, "...teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, TO LOVE THEIR CHILDREN... keepers at home..."

As you consider these portions of scripture, undoubtedly it takes a lot of strength to be a mother. These verses are not God's suggestions to you, it is His word! Use the strength He has given you on your children. This will assure you of leaving a living legacy behind- "Her children arise up and call her blessed..." Proverbs. 31:28a.

Think of the poor "career women" who gives up motherhood and child bearing. When they die they will take nothing they worked for with them. 1 Timothy 6:7,"For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."

Their legacy will be a car, house, some money or whatever else, all left to the state or inheritors and who knows what they will do with it. Take a good look at Ecclesiastes 2:18-19, "Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. And who knowest whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured..."

Your life, however dear Christian mother, will live on for God and hopefully duplicate itself several times over and over through your sons and daughters, If you've brought them up to serve the Lord. Use your strength on God's way.

We've already seen that this means to love them. Of course, love is such a misunderstood word these days, we mean you must love them God's way. Study 1 Corinthians 13 for instance- the "Charity" chapter of the Bible. Also, by love, we mean that the children must have proper discipline and structure! If not, they will burn you out. Then your strength will be wasted.

Check out the Proverbs on this subject:

• Proverbs 13:24, "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."
• Proverbs 19:18, "Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying."
• Proverbs 22:15, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."
• Proverbs 23:13-14, "Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell."
• Proverbs 29:15, "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth himself to shame."
• Proverbs 29:17, "Correct thy son, and he shall give the rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul."

Strength also needs to be put into your children's spirituality. They will not become spiritual by accident. It must happen on purpose.

May I suggest some ideas to help bring about this most desired affect:

• 1. Homeschooling your children- With all the Christian curriculums that I have ever seen there is a Bible time daily.
• 2. Daily Devotions- This doesn't have to be long or boring, but consistent. From 5-15 minutes perhaps. As the children get older, encourage them to read through the New Testament or perhaps the whole Bible.
• 3. Prayer Time- Have a prayer meeting with the children right after Devotions. Maybe they have a prayer request. They could even pray for one of the requests to get them used to praying in their own words.
• 4. Church Time- Don't ever miss anything at the fellowship of your church. Attend all services, Revival meetings, DVBS, etc. Don't ever let it be an issue of discussion in your home. Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it, you do the same. (Ephesians 5:25b.)
• 5. Soul winning / Visitation- Be a soul winner. Be involved in evangelism. Try to involve your kids in it somehow.

A good example of a mother using her strength on her child is Lois. When the Apostle Paul addressed a letter to Timothy, he spoke of his grandmother and mother in a wonderful way: 2 Timothy 1:5 "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also."

Now notice what these mothers did for Timothy in his childhood, 2 Timothy 3:14-15, "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make the wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

It worked! They used their strength on the child Timothy and he became the great preacher and Pastor of the church at Ephesus.