The Christian Home
Mothers Under the Microscope

What is the right course to take when raising your children? What does it take to make a good mother? Not just a good mother, but also a godly mother. It takes work and a lot of responsibilities, sacrifices and a lot of love.

Mothers have a tremendous influence in the lives of their children. Commitment must be unconditional. A mother’s life is no longer only about herself. It is about others and God's purpose for them.

Mothers must be very careful about their attitude in every situation of life. Since a mother’s work has eternal consequences, her life will be under a microscope. We better have the virtues in our life, if we are trying to teach them to our children.

A mother’s greatest desire should be to do God’s will for her family. How deep a mother’s love for God is will be evident in the way she handles difficult situations.

Christian mothers will learn from the example of Eunice and Lois who raised a godly young man named Timothy. In 2 Tim 1:5, this is what Paul says to Timothy about them, “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” Timothy’s introduction to the faith did not come from Paul. Both his mother and grandmother were believers who taught him the Scriptures.

Mothers, focus on your children’s attitude and character—then it will be easier to discipline their actions. Proverbs 22:15 says, "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child…” Don't whine to, yell at, or beg your children to behave, but be firm and loving. A gentle quiet manner will let your child know that you are serious.

Your children will learn to obey you when you are consistent. Correcting them only half of the time, for the same behavior, will undo all the progress you may have made with them. You have to let them know that you “mean what you say, and you say what you mean.” It is too easy to allow little things to become major problems—so get them settled before they do. Mother’s actions speak more loudly to their children than their words, wishes, or intentions.

A Christian mother is not what the world thinks they should be—but what God thinks.

King Lemuel in Proverbs 31 tells us his mother taught him many things. Mothers will benefit in reading this chapter many times over and learning from it.

Irene Shephard
Fairfield, CA