Godly Motherhood Does Not Come Naturally; It Is Learned.
Godly motherhood is not something that comes naturally. It requires much study, discipline and sacrifice. Sadly, I don't think many women today realize this truth. We are not to take parenting as it comes and do what feels right to us in the moment; nor are we to only make sure our children have shelter, food, clothes and entertainment. Parenting - Godly, correct parenting - requires intentionality every single day.
I am currently reading a book by Elizabeth Elliot. In it, she puts a quote from an anonymous author on this subject and today I wanted to share it with you!
"There is no nobler career than that of motherhood at its best. There are no possibilities greater, and in no other sphere does failure bring more serious penalties. With what diligence then should she prepare herself for such a task. If the mechanic who is to work with 'things' must study at technical school, if the doctor into whose skilled hands will be entrusted human lives, must go through medical school... how much more should the mother who is fashioning the souls of the men and women of tomorrow, learn at the highest of all schools and from the Mastor-Sculptor Himself, God. To attempt this task, unprepared and untrained is tragic, and its results affect generations to come. On the other hand there is no higher height to which humanity can attain than that occupied by a converted, heaven-inspired, praying mother."
This quote just pulls at my heart so much. I hope it encourages and reminds you, as it did me, to take inventory of your own parenting: to see if you are training and instructing your children in the ways of the Lord like we are commanded to; to notice if we are not only teaching them, but being an example of what godliness looks like; to pay attention to our consistency or lack thereof when it comes to discipline; and to see how intentional we are in spending time doing the things they like to do.
If you need encouragement and direction in parenting, I implore you to read 3 things:
• The Scriptures in their entirety, but especially the book of Proverbs.
• Shepherding A Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp
• Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches by Rachel Jankovic
We all need direction and instruction in godly parenting, and we should all be studying and continually learning how to be a godly parent. I hope this quote and these resources will be as helpful to you as they were to me. Thanks for reading!