With Mother’s Day on the horizon, I find myself pondering the essence of motherhood. What does it truly mean to be a mama? It’s more than just a title; it’s a profound role filled with love, guidance and endless sacrifices. As Merriam Webster defines it, motherhood encompasses the very essence of maternal tenderness and affection. Thinking about Mother’s Day and what it means to be a mother has naturally guided my thoughts to my own loving mama and other wonderful mothers who have played a pivotal role in my life. The incredible mothers I have been blessed with have guided me in being a mama, myself.
Being a Christian mother elevates this role even further, particularly in today’s world. Not only do we nurture, guide and selflessly give of ourselves, but we also impart crucial lessons, leading our children by example to forge a relationship with God.
Proverbs 22:6 reminds us,
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
This verse rings true in my own life, thanks to the profound influence of my remarkable, Christian mama. She not only introduced me to the church but also nurtured my spiritual growth through daily prayers and unwavering support. Her dedication to family and her unwavering guidance taught me invaluable lessons that I carry with me every day.
As Christian mothers and parents, we’re tasked with instilling moral compasses in our children, steering them closer to Jesus through our own walk with Him. By surrendering to this calling, God promises to guide us daily, ensuring our children remain steadfast in their faith as they grow.
There have been other mothers that have guided me deeper in a relationship with Christ, especially during my high school and college years. Mothers who came into my life for a season to show me different ways to parent and encourage me in my walk with God. And young mothers walk alongside me at the same time as we raise our littles.
How do we Raise Godly Kids?
Lead my Example
Our actions speak louder than words. As parents, one of the biggest ways to teach your child is by being an example for them. Our children are constantly watching what we say and do and how we react to every situation. For example, we live in a 3rd floor apartment and when we first moved in, I was nine months pregnant. I complained every time I had to walk up the stairs and was huffing the whole time. I didn’t realize it until my oldest began saying my exact words while huffing and puffing herself! Talk about a wakeup call! Yes, I was nine months pregnant, but I knew I wanted and needed to teach her to do better. As a Christian there will be hard trials and moments, but we should be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thess. 5:18). Recognizing this, I strive to watch what I say and do to be able to instill the values and morals we as Christians hold tight to.
Embrace the Word
Introducing our children to the timeless wisdom of the Bible lays a foundation for their spiritual growth. When we had our oldest, we began reading her a kids Bible at bedtime. Of course, she didn’t understand a lot as a baby but now that she is three, she enjoys reading it and learning about the different stories. She loves to talk about what is happening in each story. Being a stay-at-home mama, I wanted to find time to do my personal Bible time and decided what better way than to have my personal Bible time with my daughter. We set aside time in the mornings for Bible time. She will color or draw and listen as the Bible is being read to her. Setting aside time every day and teaching her to set aside time is training her for when she is older to have her own personal Bible time.
Power of Prayer
Prayer serves as a cornerstone of our spiritual journey, fostering intimacy with God and guiding us through life’s trials. Prayer is even more powerful and sweet when it comes out of your child’s mouth. Setting aside prayer time with our Bible time has been some of the sweetest moments with my oldest daughter. I had her tell me what she wanted to pray about for everyone, and I added in some myself. She knows what and who we are praying for. Even on busy mornings, she reminds me we need our prayer time.
Being a mama is one of the most challenging yet profoundly rewarding roles I’ll ever have! Our children are a gift from The Lord (Ps. 127:3). There are days where I feel I fail, but then those little hands embrace me with hugs and wet slobbery kisses. All the bad and wrong seems to melt away and I sit in thankfulness. Thankful God chose me out of all the wonderful women to be a mama to my girls! By no means am I perfect, but I am reminded daily just how blessed I am.
