The Joy Of Training Your Children

A long time ago, I was in a room full of women listening to a speaker.  She gave us 3 character traits that mothers should possess when raising their children.  I quickly wrote them down.  By no means have I arrived at this status, but it is my prayer that I become this woman. 

The greatest command is to love.  “If we have not love, it’s done in vain.”  “Love cast out all fear.”  “Love the Lord thy God.”  My, my.  We could go on all day with this word!  Mothers need to possess this trait if our children are to see that our God loves us, that they are a gift, and are valued in God’s eyes.

Joy:  I can’t say enough about this one.  A long time ago, a mother of many walked up to me with a big smile while I was holding my 12 month old.  I had her dressed in lavender and teal and her big hair bow matched her fun personality as she toddled around.  She struck up a conversation with my babbling baby and I asked her, “What is the best piece of advice you give a lot of?”  She said, “Choose joy.  Our children will never want to serve the Lord if we don’t.”  I revisit that conversation often.  God used her words as a reminder that joy is a daily choice.  

Meekness:  Jesus asks of us to be meek like Him.  Enough said.  If we don’t have a willing spirit, we will fail miserably in our pride.  When God says He gives grace to the humble, how can we go wrong taking the humble stance when we fail as human beings?  Short answer: we can not go wrong.  It is right every time.  Promise.