[Faith-talk] {Spam?} Daily Thought for Thursday, May 5, 2016

[Paul Smith]

Hello and a good Thursday to most of you, and a good Friday to you in 
Australia and New Zealand.  I hope that your day is going well, by 
God's matchless grace and His providential care.

Today is also the National Day of Prayer here in the U.S., whose chair 
is Dr. Tony Evans, host of the nationally syndicated radio program "The 
Urban Alternative." In our own way and time, let's pray for God's 
direction that our nation is going, especially politically, but also in 
other areas like economically and others.

Today's article for your consideration was originally printed in the 
RBC Discovery Digest some twelve years ago.  Although its author is not 
named, it is still relevant even today.  Entitled "The Influence of a 
Christian Mother," it is rendered as follows:

It has been said, "The hand that rocks the cradles rules the world."

That certainly is a beautiful expression of a lovely sentiment--but 
it's a lot more than that! That is because it states a very important 
truth:  the influence of a mother in the home is immeasurable.

In saying that, I'm not downgrading or minimizing the importance or the 
obligation of teh father.  He is the head of teh house.

Too often in today's society, however, the father is gone most of teh 
time, earning a living.  And that's important if the children are to 
have proper food, clothing, and shelter.  But that takes him away from 
the family during his working hours.  Then, when he does arrive home in 
the evening, he is often too tired to give his children the loving 
attention and patience they deserve.

It is therefore the mother who has that day-by-day, hour-by-hour, 
minute-by-minute contact with the youngsters during their formative 
years.  And, let's face it, children are greatly influenced by the one 
who dresses them, feeds them, and instructs them.  The one who brings 
comfort when things go wrong is bound to have a lot to do with the way 
they interpret life.

Yes, by her example--by the language she uses and the way she reacts to 
the strains, stresses and problems of life--what the mother 
communicates to her little ones determines how they are going to react 
when they are faced with similar situations in life.

I see it as a tremendous privilege to serve the Lord and a family in 
that capacity.  But, I repeat, being a mother is also an awesome 
responsibility.  The many hours Mom is alone with the children and her 
constant example give them a legacy they will carry with them for the 
rest of their lives.

I would pause to emphasize, however, that this does not relieve teh 
husband and father of his obligation.  He should never allow Mom to 
carry the entire load of childbearing.  He cannot shirk his 
responsibility to lead, to love, to discipline his children.  He should 
spend time with them and be of assistance in every way he can.

Even so, we must face the facts as they are.  Generally speaking, in 
our society it is the mother who has the most daily contact with her 
youngsters.  And this occurs at the most impressionable years of their 
lives.  Therefore, I am convinced that the mother must be a woman of 
the Word--one who knows it and loves it and lives it as best she can 
before her children.

Of such a woman it will be said, "Her children rise up and call her 
blessed:  her husband also, and he praiseth her" (Proverbs 31:28).

Now there's a lot here for pondering, consideration and reflection, in 
my opinion.  Hope that this article gave you something to "chew on" 
spiritually.

And that will do it for today.  Until tomorrow when, Lord willing 
another daily thought message and article will be posted, may the God 
of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just keep us safe, individually and 
collectively, in these last days in which we live.  Your Christian 
friend and brother, Paul