May is the month that we celebrate mothers on Mother's Day.
Ms.
Julia Ward and Ms.
Anna Jarvis petitioned for this day to honor mother's and was signed by Pres.
Woodrow Wilson on May 8, 1914.
Being a mother is a very important role that God chose for us to endure.
God decided that Eve would be the first living mother.
Genesis 3:20 says, "Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.
" So today's mother has a great responsibility to do what God has required of us.
For Titus 2:4-5 says, "Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
" This scripture tells us that we must train our children to do what is right in order to please God and follow his word.
Additionally we are to honor and love our husbands in marriage.
In the book of 1 Samuel, Hannah and Peninnah were married to Elkanah.
Peninnah had children, but Hannah could not.
Hannah prayed and prayed to God to have a child.
Because God answered her prayer and gave her a son named Samuel, she gave him back to the Lord.
And God was able to use him for His purpose and His will.
As Christian mothers, we should be giving our children back to God, for His use, because they are gifts to us.
For Psalm 127:3 says, "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.
" We must also teach our children about God.
This world is evil and sin is always around.
There are so many negative influences that can lead our children astray.
But if we teach our children about God's word, even if they go astray, they will come back to God and the truth.
For Ephesians 6:4 says, "Fathers, (and Mothers) do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
" By following this scripture, our children will never be lost.
Discipline is a big part of being a mother.
Even though this subject is hard to discuss, this is very important in raising children.
By disciplining our children, we fear that they will fear us, or hate us, but they should be taught to fear the Lord.
Just as we are punished by God when we do wrong, our children must learn that being punished when they do wrong, is a learning experience to do right.
Proverbs 13:24 says, "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
" Even though spanking has become a controversial issue, if it's done out of love and instruction, God allows for it to be done as a tool of discipline.
Proverbs 29:15-17 also says, "The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.
Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.
" Nurturing our children will provide support, acceptance and unconditional love.
We are to be kind, compassionate and forgiving, just as Christ is to us.
(Ephesians 4:32) Ephesians 4:29 also says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
" When we talk to our children about their lives or something that they have done wrong, we must be careful about the words we choose.
Using hurtful or demeaning words can hurt our children deeply and possibly scar their lives.
Most hurtful words are said out of anger and Satan uses these times to work through us to effect our children.
But if we think about every word that's said to our children before we say them, then it will benefit rather than hurt.
And they will feel accepted by us rather then searching for acceptance from the outside world.
The bible gives us clear commands of being a mother.
From teaching and training to discipline and nurturing.
We also should be role models, because our children model what we do, more than what we say.
We have to be Christ-like in order to teach our children to be like Christ.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 says, "Love the Lord your God with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gate.
" If the Lord has blessed you to be a mother, you should take this role seriously.
And if we are careful to do this when they are children, teenagers and early adults, then we will raise productive, loving and God-fearing people.