The Christian Home

Building A Happy Home!
From A Mother's Perspective

As Christian women, are we helping to make our homes a happy place for our families to live? Happy is he who listens to the Lord. One of the fruits of the Spirit is love.

Be An Example

Since example is the best teacher, we must make sure our families see love in the way we live. Our children learn by what they see us do, more often than what we say. As the saying goes, “actions speak louder than words.” Timothy grew up to be a fine godly man, because of the example of his mother and grand-mother. The Apostle Paul recognized the faith and goodness of Timothy's grandmother Lois, and his mother Eunice saying, “...when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5).

Love will always want the best for children, and the best is letting your children see in your life that you love the Lord. “Serve the Lord with gladness...” (Psalm 100:2). Our children will know whether we are gladly serving God or just putting in time. Never underestimate the understanding that our children have. Remember, our children do watch us more than we realize. By our example, we are either teaching our children to love God or to love self. Let's be good examples to them.

Be An Encourager

Children need to feel good about themselves, and it is up to the parents to see that they are able to. “A Merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken” (Proverbs 15:13). Parents, listen to your children and have conversations with them about things that are of interest to them. This will help them to feel self-worth, and it will be a big step toward their love for the Lord. “Let each of you look out not only for his own interest, but also for the interest of others"

(Philippians 2:4). As God is concerned about the things that are important to you, be the same with your children.

Be An Embracer

Since actions do speak louder than words, the embrace of a mother speaks volumes of love to her children. Have patience with your children. Hug them, tell them they are loved, talk with them, and make sure you let them know that God loves them. Will all of this attention cause our children to be self-centered? Certainly not! Remember, as God’s children, we have His undivided attention. With small children, mothers are the most important person in their life (sorry Dad) and they will try to be like us. When they see us helping others, praising others, speaking kindly, sharing etc., in all probability they will not be self-absorbed.

Be An Encompasser

As your children grow up, your family will grow to include sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, and grand-children. Encompass them in the same love that you have for your own children. Naomi is a great example, of the love she must have shown to her daughters-in-law, for they loved her. We know that, by the tears that they shed when she told them to go back to their mothers house, after her husband and two sons died. Noami said to them, “May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me” (Ruth 1:8). Orpah and Ruth preferred to stay with Naomi rather than to go to their own mothers’ house when she encouraged them to go home. Ruth stayed with Naomi, and said, “...wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you lodge, I will lodge, your people will be my people, and your God my God...” ( Ruth 1:16) What a tribute to Naomi! Naomi let her love for God shine in her life, and it continues to shine as a great lesson for us today. Do we as women have that kind of love for the Lord? “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Do we want a happy home? Of course we do. So, let's take the steps that we need to, in order to accomplish it.

Irene Shephard
Vacaville, Ca.