I have often wondered what, exactly, a godly mother looks like. What are God's expectations of us? He has given me three wonderful children to raise. Beyond anything else, I know I am to raise them to honor Jesus and live their lives according to Him. I began searching through my Bible for specific Scriptures to teach and encourage me in my mothering. Yes, I want them to tell their grandchildren wonderful stories of their mama, but, more importantly, I want them to love Jesus with a fire that cannot be contained.
My reading and praying have led me to understand that my mothering will not end when they leave for college. Praise God, I will forever be their mother. I am expected to uphold God's truths until He takes me home. I am to lovingly guide them by word and example.
My oldest son recently gave me a compliment that filled my soul with thankfulness to my sweet Jesus. As we were driving, he asked me how I did such a good job with my children. He said that they all knew Jesus and knew how to behave and treat people. I wanted to stop the car and cry and hug him. I can't even tell you the number of times I have felt like a failure. I knew with certainty I had messed up big time. I told him it wasn't me at all, it was Jesus. I have relied on Him for everything. I told my son that the only thing I knew to do was to treat my children the way Jesus would want me to. He then gave me another compliment. He asked if I would give him advice when he was a father. He said he wanted his family to be just like ours.
I don't tell you this to toot my horn. I am not the perfect mother. Visit my house for an extended period of time and this will be obvious. I tell you this, because it is all God. I want Him to receive the glory.
Listed are just a few Scriptures that teach about being a godly mother.
Deuteronomy 4:9
Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you don't forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don't slip from your mind as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.
(We are to teach our children the ways of the Lord. We are to be diligent in making certain that we teach them to love and honor God in all that they do.)
Ephesians 5:22
Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord.
(Society has made this such a negative thing. It is a command from God, therefore, it obviously works and is for everyone's good. Submission doesn't mean our husbands controlling us in any abusive manner. We are to love our husbands and respect them. Our children will see this and feel the safety and security of a household run by God.)
1 Timothy 5:8
Now if anyone does not provide for his own relatives, and especially for his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
(Providing definitely means our physical needs. However, I believe it to mean providing love, support, encouragement, and discipline.)
James 1:22
But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
(We must walk the walk and not just talk the talk. When our children see us behaving in ways that we tell them not to, that speaks much louder than our words.)
Proverbs 31
This portion of Proverbs is the instruction manual for being a woman, mother, and wife.
"Give me a generation of Christian mothers and I will undertake to change the whole face of society in 12 months"....Lord Shaftesbury
Being a godly mother is not easy. We are humans who are filled with pride, insecurities, and selfish ambitions. However, when we put ourselves aside and look to our Father, our children will reap the benefits.
May we look to Jesus in all we do. He is the perfect parent willing to lead us and teach us.
Proverbs 31:28
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
