What Do Your Children Think of You?

Wordful Wednesday: Proverbs 31:28 "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her."


We are to week 20 of our Proverbs 31 woman series and today's verse hits home with me! Isn't this what we all dream of? Our husband and children praising us? We have seen this woman pour her life out for her family - from caring for her husband, children, servants and even the poor. We've watched her rise early, stay up late, plant a vineyard, sew her own clothes, her family's clothing, the tapestries and beddings! And here we find her reward - "Her children arise and call her blessed"!

I am going to address the husband's "words of praise" next Wednesday because it correlates with next week's verse and it's a HUGE topic for me - I can't wait to write on it!

Today we will solely look at the children.

1. Who is praising her? It's not the people in the PTA, nor her church Bible study group, local newspaper, co-workers or neighborhood association. It is her children!

2. Who you are at home is who you really are. If you find that all of your accolades come from sources outside of your home - and inside your home is a train wreck? Then you can be sure that your priorities some how have been derailed!

3. If you have little ones and even teens, this may not be the season where they arise and call you blessed so be patient! The words "arise up" mean that the children are full grown. Often times, it's not until children gain a bit of perspective in life that they realize how much their mother has sacrificed for them.

4. Arising and blessing their mother is not just about the "thank you" but about them arising and living honorable, noble, God fearing lives. This fruit is evidence of a mother's hard work. This is a mother's true reward!

What are some practical ways to get to this point?

1. Do not focus on raising your children to be straight "A" students, captain of the basketball team, doctors or missionaries. Focus first on raising children who fear God and desire to serve him. And let their success and vocation be left in God's hands.

2. Pray daily for your children to love God and desire him more than anything this world has to offer!

3. Work on creating order, fun, memories, warmness, and a haven in your home. Make your home a place where children feel comfortable to open up their hearts and talk, where they are free to laugh, make mistakes, be silly, yet always sensing the presence of God. We must first have God's word present in our lives in order for the children to sense the presence of God in their lives. Read the scriptures together, memorize them, sing them, and delight in them.

4. There is no room for giving up, giving in or surrendering to the wayward child. We must continue to parent our children - not until Jr. High, not until they are 16, not even until they are 18. They will make CRUCIAL life altering decisions between 18 and 25 - their vocation and who they will marry. Stay in the game with a fierce face! Persevere in guiding, praying, loving, talking, and creating special time with your children. Your children need you.

5. Remember - you are irreplaceable. They are YOUR responsibility to train, instruct and release. Walk humbly and fearfully as you fulfill this high calling!

A huge challenge lies before us today as we consider our parenting skills? Have we blown it? Apologize. Have we failed to pray? Start today. Have we been too wrapped up in our own lives to spend meaningful time with the kids? Turn off the TV and computer and give your children the best of you.

Let me close by arising and calling my own mother blessed! If you are reading mom "THANK YOU" for all of the sacrifice and unconditional love and for riding out every wave with me. Since I was a baby you have taught me the truth of God's word and role-modeled what that looks like lived out in high heels! You are deserving of high praise - I love you!

Walk with the King!

I am participating in Seven Clown Circus Wordful Wednesday and 5 Minutes for Mom Wordless Wednesday.