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.
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This has been on my heart lately — a need to focus on my children and give them the best part of me instead of my distracted mine. Thanks for the encouragement!
I've been thinking of this so much too, especially as my children are growing up so quickly and I realize they need me more now than ever. Thanks for the reminder!
By the way, your mom must feel equally blessed to have a daughter like you!
You know, This hit home for me…I thought you were a home school mom. I usually don't like to read parenting advice…It usually comes from People without children ((Who make the best parents in my opinion
) Parents of newborns, Or someone with LOTS of help.
LOVED! LOVED! LOVED! This post!
Ahhh, Yes…Yesterday was a day with my oldest daughter…I handled things with love and prayed and prayed for her all day.
When my husband came home I gave everyone dinner told him we had a rough day and I needed time to pray alone at the Adoration Chapel…What a wonderful way to end the day…My husband said our daughter went to bed before 9 and was fast asleep when I got home.
Can't wait to read next weeks post!
Lisa
Thanks Courtney!
What a beautiful devotion, packed with TRUTH!
I've enjoyed reading it.
Thanks so much for joining us this WFW♥
Good word! I esp. appreciated point #2. I also did a series on the prov. 31 woman several months ago-
http://www.wonderwomanwannabe.com/2009/11/finding-wonder-woman-real-gem.html
I look forward to reading your perspective.
This has also been on my heart lately. I can get so distracted with my to-do lists, the computer, and other people in life that I can too easily forgot who I'm really trying to influence and be an example to.
Its a daily struggle especially in today's world, but with the Lord's help I think Ill get there!!
Thanks for the great post!
Leaving a Godly legacy is most important for our childrens' heart. We have children in several age ranges (16,15,12,10,8 and 4). I've pondered how my children view me. We are a fun and laughing family. We are a homeschool family, but we are not that family
. My kids really do not like being compared to the stereotypical hs families.
I heard the phrase "Who you are at home is who you really are." just last week. I was talking it over with my oldest daughter (the 16y/o) and she whole-heartedly agreed.
My mother says "Give me my flowers while I yet live." It is important that mom hears the blessing. It keeps one from wondering how we're doing. LOL
Great post. Waiting to read next week too (and any in between).
Great post! Though I'm not an "official" Mama, I do have 40 fabulous 6th graders entrusted to me every school day and I believe the same principles apply to them. Especially that part about being patient….10 days left in school and boy do I need a dose of that!!
Jesus was not wrong when he commissioned us to start at Jerusalem, home, then Samaria, next door, then the uttermost parts of the earth.
Blessings as you walk together before God and your children..Like Jess I am only The Cat's Mum but had precious children in my charge for many years and still find it amazing how much the young people and children still watch us.
not what we say but what we are.
What a great and challenging post! We often do see the fruits of our labor as we are doing things with young little one, but you are so right by reminding us that later in life the fruits will be there.
someone told me once that the final outcome is the Lord's (regarding our children salvation or fruits)but our duty is for us to be part of the process!!!
So we can't save our children only God does but training them into the ways of the Lord is our task and part of the reward. How amazing that our Lord wants to share this reward with us parents!!!
Many blessing
Renee
http://www.babystam.blogspot.com
Wow, this is a really great post. One day my five year old looked at me when I was pretty close to a breaking point and said, "it's really hard to be the mom, huh?" And then she thanked me. She thanked me for being her mommy and told me that she loved me and then it didn't seem all that hard at all.
Stopping by from Seven Clown Circus
Thanks…for the encouragement and reminders. It's awesome that you called your own mother blessed at the end! Smiles!
I loved your point about not focusing on the "success" (grades, sports, etc.) of your children, but instead their character and receptivness to God. As a youth pastor, I see many parents who encourage or justify bad character (lying, cheating, "me first" attitudes)for the sake of getting into college or doing well at sports. Thank you for reminding us what is important!
Lots of wisdom here for those who are mothers.
You know this was an encouragement to me. I get a bit distraught because my home isn't as beautiful as I'd like, I'm not as polished or organized as other moms I know. But my priorities are, for the most part on the right track. I know this because my 4 year old tells me everyday that he loves me, that I am soooo beautiful, and that he likes doing things with me. Out of the mouth of babes, so what if my laundry is piling up, I'll get to that when I rise early or go to bed late!
Great tips! I make sure I praise my children all the time and praying with them is also very important. Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Such a great post.
Love this!
Good parenting pointers. And beautiful photo to go with them!
Great post, great reminders. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this post, Courtney. My mom is definitely a Proverbs 31 woman, and I want to be too. Thank you for fleshing the specifics of the Word out and talking about practical ways to apply it.
This is one of the best blogs that I've read of yours!
Excellent advice!
Wow, I really really needed to read this tonight! Thank you