I am a mom and a grandmother. Two roles, two jobs, two responsibilities that I love with all my heart. I know first-hand the perplexing problems which spring up daily as you parent toddlers, tweens and teens. Through my years of parenting, I realized very quickly without God’s wisdom and the Bible’s instructions routinely going through my head, I would have many regrets about my parenting decisions. My hope and prayer is that as you read through our blog, you receive the practical parenting tips you need. Most of all, I write in hopes you will receive the message that trusting your Heavenly Father for wisdom and guidance is always your best resource in raising your child.
In addition to my parenting experience, I’m a Bible teacher, counselor and parenting educator. I write to you with lessons I’ve humbly learned from parenting children for over thirty-seven years. But, I do know when you read those lessons, your heart may not be moved nor inspired. The practical lessons as well as the personal experiences may give you information to educate you, but may not provide the profound influence you need. That is not what happens when you are learning from God the Father. You will always be motivated and influenced to do better, to have courage, to be a hope-filled parent, as long as you are following His leadership. God provides us with wisdom to know how to make decisions. God gives us hope and courage to move ahead without fear. God empowers us through His Spirit to embrace our children with love, grace and mercy. We will never hear another speaker or teacher who will give us so much in so few words, as our loving Father God.
For instance, read and allow yourself to be mindful of the message in each of these Bible verses.
How does God help you as a parent, as a mom, through the power of His Word?
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; “He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
This is Deuteronomy 6 from the Message Bible:
Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got! Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.
That’s a message better than anything I could write or say.
My prayer as I prepare this post is you find something in this blog each day to encourage you as a parent. I am in prayer for you as I write. I pray you find true, deep, Biblical inspiration through the grace of Jesus! My prayer also for you is these posts may move you to a deeper devotion to God. It’s my passion in this ministry that we all will be and remain strongly committed to the Lord and our own personal faith walk. I prayer we make our faith footsteps so deep and so clearly marked, our children and grandchildren will come to know Jesus as their personal Savior and live well in this life for His sake and His glory, through our guidance and teachings.
One of my favorite Bible verses is 3 John 1:4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4. To know that your child walks in the Truth of the Gospel of the Bible, it is up to us as Moms to teach our children the truths and stories about God. We are given the responsibility and the honor of helping our children to grow up in the Lord.
But let’s not be so serious our kids think we are old fuddy-duddy who can’t laugh and have fun with them. So, make your teachings of the Word seem like fun, not just a chore to get through. Play Bible quiz games with your child. My boys loved to make memorizing verses a competition. With prizes, even! As your kids grow, you can choose different versions of the Bible appropriate for their age that will keep them interested. Some of my fondest memories with my grandchildren we are creating is reading the Bible together from a children’s Bible version. It is full of vivid illustrations of those stories of David and the Giant, Daniel in the lion’s den and Noah’s Ark full of animals. This time can be a shared experienced full of warmth and love and something your whole family will love.
Be the Bible Answer Lady and pop questions to your older kids when you are driving them to school or soccer practice. Here’s a Bible quiz question: How many plagues did the God bring on the Egyptians before Pharaoh freed the Israelites from slavery? Tell them to grab their Bibles and find out. Believe me, learning about the wonders of God can be a blast! As you play these games and quizzes, through this exciting adventure in God’s Word, you are all learning Bible facts together. So, have them quiz you back, Mom. You never know – you may win the prize!
Today I pray blessings on you and your family. May God be with you and your family as you come to know God better and love one another more. Peace and Grace be with you all.
Joneal, The Heart Mom [icon type=”icon-heart”]
