Instruct, Instill, And Inspire

My son, if your heart is wise,My heart will rejoice, indeed, I myself;Yes, my inmost being will rejoiceWhen your lips speak right things.

Proverbs 23:15-16 (NKJV)

John said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth” (3 John 1:4, NKJV). Moms, do you tell your children that they bless you? Do you catch them being good and let them know? Do you look for their strengths and tell them? We can get in the habit of pointing out their failures so often that they see themselves in our eyes as failures.

Do your children know that you value their character even more than any outward beauty or accomplishment? Sometimes we teach our kids that performance or accomplishment is the bottom line to life, and the only way they can please us is by being popular, or smart, or athletic. Will you pray about this? Will you ask the Lord to show you how to teach your kids that character matters? Will you pray and ask the Lord to show you how to teach your kids to be wise, and honest, and kind, and forgiving? Moms, teach your kids how to use the power of their words for good to encourage other kids who are discouraged. Teach them to speak the truth. Teach them to stand up for truth.

We, as moms, as women, have a powerful influence in the world around us, but the most important lessons cannot just be taught with words. They must be caught from us. It’s been said, “There is no greater gift that you can give your children than a good example.”

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Fill your world with noble stories and songs and poems to raise the bar and challenge you. Never stop growing, and you will inspire others to follow.

There will always be something to do, my girl;

There will always be wrongs to right;

There will always be need for a noble one

And those unafraid to fight.

There will always be honor to guard, my girl;

There will always be hills to climb,

And tasks to do, and battles new

From now till the end of time.

—ADAPTED FROM “THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOMETHING TO DO” BY EDGAR A. GUEST

One Year Bible Reading

Isaiah 22:1–24:23; Galatians 2:17–3:9; Psalm 60:1-12; Proverbs 23:15-16