I have had to learn so much about how to be a mother, but yet, unlearned some things as well.
Here’s what I know today.
1. Speak life into the ones under your charge. Kids remember their mother’s words far into their adult life. Words matter.
2. Do not be embarrassed during a hard season of motherhood. And certainly don’t be haughty about a good one. A calm baby could be what keeps you on your knees later, but the colicky baby may just become the sweetest adult child in your life. Give all the glory to God for that child regardless because they are His first. We are just the vessel.
3. Have kindness on your tongue towards their dad. They will identify their heavenly father with their earthly father. How you reverence their dad matters.
4. Smile a lot! Smiling reminds them that they are enjoyed and loved. The warmth a smile carries is invaluable. But when mom has worry and anxiousness evident on her mind, she stifles her creativity in the home.
5. Talk about how much joy motherhood brings you. Don’t breath words that motherhood is exhausting, hard, and causes you to be depressed. Children are a gift so let’s live out what we know to be true.
6. Train them early to obey your voice so they will learn to hear God’s when He calls.
7. Read the Bible to them every day before their school work. Even if it is one verse that you sit on all day long as a family, it is a discipline that they will take with them into their adult years.
8. Never forget that Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” This is for you and each one within the walls of your home. If you have breath in your body, He isn’t done with you or them. He is shaping you just as much as you are trying to shape your children.
9. God is always ONLY good. I wish someone would have spoken these beautiful words to me when I was 19. Perspective changes everything!
10. Be in the word, even when you don’t feel like it. You can not model or teach what you do not know. What we put into our minds will spill over into our children, so make sure it is scripture that is our compass.
Natalie
2 Timothy 3:16