My mother did it all.
She was Mom; Dad (she was widowed at 31 and left with two small kiddies); nurse; chauffeur; teacher; disciplinarian; cuddler; cook; gardener; etc.
She had to work, and in a female-unfriendly environment, to support her reduced family as best she could.
She raised two girls who, I believe, turned out pretty ok.
However, what I am most grateful for is that she raised me to love Jesus.
That, I honestly feel, is more important than anything.
You can have the worst luck thrown at you, but if you have Jesus, and are secure in the knowledge that He is, and was, and always will be, and that He's the same yesterday, today and forever, you can make it through anything. (Just read Job! Or maybe don't... or ... read the end!)
I was a rebellious teen and a floundering young adult, but she did what she was instructed -
"Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it."
And as always, God was true to His word. I did return.
I am blessed every day of my life - and I can see it in the little things. I love the big things, but the little things are so important to me, and He knows that... and He acts on it daily.
I know He is in control of my life, my family, my home.
If I can, like my mother before me, provide that security for my children, I believe I have done well.
The security of knowing Jesus, of having a personal relationship with Him, that is unshakable.
That is of more worth to me that countless riches on this earth
So... long after the world has ended I will be eternally blessed by my Mom, and her love for Jesus that she passed down to me. I don't recall it being something taught as much as witnessed. For that I will be eternally grateful.
Oh... and for the singing voice. Praise God I didn't get my Dad's singing voice.
What a lovely testimony of how indeed the Proverbs 22:6 are the foundation parents should build on when raising their kids!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely
Delete