BLOGS
I was walking a trail at Palisades-Kepler State Park last week when I came across a tree that had I ♥ M.C. painted on it in big white letters. On the other side of the tree was I ♥ H.H. Now, this is obviously vandalism and not okay, and I don’t know who M.C. and H.H. are, but I sure know they are loved by someone. This made me think how interesting it is that people desire to write out their love for others - they want it documented. Even if it is just on a single tree in the middle of a forest of trees. You find love expressed this way in the sand on beaches, carved in railings on bridges and yes, even etched on bathroom stalls. It doesn’t stop there. Love causes people to write poetry, songs and epic novels.
I think our God who created us hardwired us this way. He gave us an innate desire to express love for others and to do so through the communication of the written language. This is exactly what our Loving Father did for us in writing the Bible. We see this easily in the favorite verse of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Written out so that you may know his love for you and how it comes about. For those who believe in Jesus, the Bible is a letter of love - how we need him, how he came to save us, how he cares for us now and how he has prepared a place for us to live with him forever. This is awesome! It amazes me how few people pick up this incredible love letter loaded with truth and wisdom written by the One who loves them most. Jesus not only had love written on paper (ok, papyrus), he had it written on his body. His sacrificial love for us was etched not upon a tree or in sand, but upon his very body. Upon Jesus’ perfect, resurrected body are the scarred hands and side. Evidence of love forever on display for his children. He even showed these to his disciples when he appeared to them after coming back to life (John 20:20). As Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. We women can easily identify with scars on our bodies for the sake of love and life. We don’t always appreciate them (um, stretch marks) but they are a great reminder that true love is sacrificial. We would do the same thing all over again if we had to because we love our children so very much. God loves his children too. The scars on his son prove it and his written Word proves it. Appreciate the sacrifice and read the best love letter ever written. Because people are dying. If you have been paying attention to current events, you have heard about the Fuego volcano that has erupted in the Central American country of Guatemala. The body count is well over 70 now with many still missing. People have died from the pyroclastic lava, fires, the falling ash and toxic fumes. People will continue to die in the aftermath with landslides, respiratory infections and the chaos that comes after a catastrophe in a third world country. But our trip was planned months ago, long before a volcano erupted. Why did we decide to go? Because people are dying. Hebrews 9:27 tells us a plain truth of life, “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,” Everyone dies. Then everyone faces judgment. A simple fact of life that many try to ignore. People are dying not just from volcanic eruptions, but from old age, illness and accidents. People die. But it isn’t the death that concerns us but what happens after. Whether you realize it or not, you have never met a mortal. Humans are made for eternity, there is much more coming after death occurs. It begins with “judgment”. That is when you stand before God and he sends you either to eternal Paradise or eternal torment (no other options, read your Bible). After death there is nothing you can do to persuade God in his judgment. The decision has to be made before you go. That is why we go - to tell people about their only hope for salvation from damnation - Jesus Christ. Jesus himself said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. He is the only key to eternal Paradise. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23. We must tell people who are lost in their sins without Christ that they are headed for judgement, they must decide now. What hateful “Christians” we would be if we did not spread this news. Do we need to tell people here in Iowa, USA? We certainly do - and I just did. How will you be judged by God? Have you broken God’s law of the Ten Commandments (i.e. lying, stealing, taking God’s name in vain - see Exodus 20)? Yes, you have, you are guilty too. The guilty go away from God, to Hell. Jesus made the only way to be saved by paying the penalty of dying on the cross for those who believe in him. Jesus “was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” Romans 4:25. Turn from sin, accept and believe what Jesus has done for you and live eternally in Heaven with him. This good news we must tell. We also go to Guatemala because people are suffering. Our brothers and sisters in the Lord are hurting and struggling. We go to encourage them like Paul did in the book of Acts as he visited the believers in the churches. He encouraged them in their faith and exhorted them to grow in Christ. Imagine this - you are weary and worn, life has been so difficult, your heart aches. Someone comes and sits down beside you and looks you in the face. This is what they say: “God has sent me to you from far away. He wants me to remind you that his Word is true! He is with you in this and he cares for you deeply. Keep believing in him and trust him, he will never leave you.” The impact of believers strengthening one another through presence, scripture and prayer is immense. It is the power of a supernatural family connected by an Omniscient Father God. In loving the people of Guatemala we are like God who loves people beyond human barriers of borders and nationalities. Just as God opened salvation to the Gentiles (us), so we need to love beyond our “own kind”. God is clear in his instruction of “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” Matthew 28:19. And his promise is sweet, “behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” v. 20. For those who choose Jesus now, instead of being turned away at judgment, we will see our Father beckoning us to come to him. There will be nothing sweeter in all eternity than that. We must share this, because people are dying. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. - Matthew 10:29
God has allowed my family a front row seat to watch how he cares for his sparrows. A couple of literal love-birds decided to make our front door their home. They made a nest on top of a wreath attached to the glass front of our door. From little speckled eggs to fat chirping birdies, we have been allowed to watch these babies grow. Now we have a happy family of five. Extremely cool. Even if they are the lowliest of common birds. Being able to observe these sparrows each day reminds me constantly of God’s care for his children. As Jesus said in Luke 12:6-7, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” God’s care for his creatures is amazing. He sustains all wildlife on earth, providing habitat, food, and life itself. Not a single one is forgotten before God. Do you ever feel forgotten? Ever feel like the lowliest of common humans? Like just another sparrow among millions of other sparrows? Let God’s words encourage you today - listen when he says, “Fear not” (v.7). God says you are more valuable than many sparrows and he has even numbered the hairs on your head. Do you know how many hairs are on the heads of your children? No, you don’t. Because you didn’t put them there, God did. He is their Creator and yours, and God cares for his creation. If God declares you valuable, then that is what you are. Take the time to recognize his care for you. From the general graces of sun, oxygen, housing, food and water to the blessings of family, friends and possessions. All from God. For believers, our blessings from God are unmatched. Grace upon grace, love, forgiveness, peace, strength, eternal life and on and on. To say he cares for us sounds utterly inadequate. He lavishes us with blessing upon blessing and says there is more to come. How can we not praise him forever? We have another huge advantage over the birds of this earth. God made us in his image and gave us a voice - we can speak. We can ask our Father to give us what we need. “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:11. “Ask, and it will be given to you;” Matthew 7:7. We have a Father who has authority over all things and a desire to bless his children. Ask him for what you need and give him glory. The full nest on our front door has made it through thunderstorms and windy days. The momma bird even survived an unplanned visit inside our home. One night she flew in the front door along with the boys. It took us a long time to corral her out the back door. We thought she might die from fright or exhaustion, but she recovered and found her way back to her little ones. Ladies, you too will find yourself in storms and the winds of this world will try to knock you down. There will be days where you may find yourself where you do not want to be. But your Father is faithful. He holds you in his hands and will not let you go. As he cares for the lowliest of common sparrows clinging to a front door in Cascade, Iowa, he will certainly care for you. “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” - Matthew 6:26 If we are faithless, he remains faithful. - 2 Timothy 2:13
Phil and I had been gone for a long weekend. The boys were left with their older brother for four days. A risk, maybe, but worth it. I planned ahead, got everything ready that they would possibly need. I even typed out a schedule with a list of chores and responsibilities. I had several conversations with them. Order, organization and communication - check, check and check. Coming home on Sunday afternoon, I think I could smell my sons before I could see them. It felt like walking into a frat house. They had friends over and were playing loudly, the house was a mess. For some reason everything felt sticky. And, really, where was that smell coming from? The boys were not thrilled to see us. Their greeting was, “Home already?” ...oh, the love. I hugged them anyway (then kicked their friends out and made them clean). This experience (and many like it) have taught me something important: kids need moms. Yes, the whole world smells better because we have moms. But far beyond that, moms are vital for the persistent training that is needed in raising children. No other being besides a mother has the life-long patience to do this. How many times do I have to remind my boys to clean up after themselves, to say thank you, or to not hit each other? A. L.O.T. Do they always listen the first time? N.O. Am I repetitive in my instructions? Do I have to repeat myself often? Did you hear what I just said? Did you understand what I asked you to do? Will you repeat it back to me? See, I wrote it down so you will remember it. You still forgot and don’t remember ever talking about this before? Aghhh!! Who else but moms could put ourselves through this for 18 years and then cry when these creatures finally leave home? Who else but moms could handle instructing, training and correcting all day, every day and still love these kids so much we could burst? Just moms. God put mothers in a fantastic position to demonstrate the attribute of faithfulness. Our God is always faithful, even when we are not. This truth is found in one of my favorite portions of scripture, 2 Timothy 2:11-13: “If we have died with him, we will also live with him, if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny himself.” We moms demonstrate this to our children by remaining a faithful parent. Meaning, we continue to guide them and train them in the way they should go even when they ignore, dismiss or forget our counsel. We do not give up on them when they fail, we re-instruct and keep on loving them. This is what our loving Heavenly Father does for us. We are so very forgetful, ignorant and stubborn. Yet, our Father “gives more grace” to his children (James 4:6). This grace is undeserved because we are most certainly unworthy of it, yet it is given because of the faithfulness of the Father. Just as we expect our children to grow in their understanding and obedience, God desires the same for us. Thankfully, he left us a note! God wrote down his words of instruction for us and tells us to read it. So do that - read it and do what it says. Allow his words to train and correct your heart. Moms, keep on momming. Exhibit God’s faithfulness as you faithfully train up your children day after day, year after year. There will be a time when you agree with the Psalmist when he said: “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” Psalm 127:3. It may not be right after returning home to a stinky mess with grumpy kids, but it will come. One final tip: if you take the time to type up a schedule and list of responsibilities, afix it firmly to the refrigerator for everyone to see. Do not leave it on the table where it will end up being used as a bookmark in a Calvin and Hobbes comic book on the first day - all record of responsibility gone for the rest of the weekend! True story. Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. - Ephesians 6:1
As a Christian parent, one of our heart’s greatest desires is for our children to follow and obey the Lord. One important way we, as mothers, must encourage this is by teaching our children to obey us. This is a big deal. In today’s society, children often rule the home. Their feelings and moods are allowed to determine a family’s schedule and priorities. You see this play out on the national scene as children are heralded as social heroes and the source of positive change for an entire nation. This should not be. God has put certain relationships in place to teach us humility and submission. You see this clearly in Ephesians chapters 5 & 6. Paul has been exhorting the Church on how to live and now begins to teach on specific relationships. Wives and husbands, children and parents, and servants and masters. These are all relationships that include humble submission and loving authority. Children are called to obey and honor their parents. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother” Eph. 6:1-2. Paul is echoing Exodus 20:12 here where honoring your parents is proclaimed as one of the ten commandments. The only commandment that also includes a promise: “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Eph. 6:3. This adds even more weight to the matter. Why does God care so much about the obedience of our children? Why would he care that when we tell our children to do the dishes, they do them? Because it is a representation of their obedience to the Lord himself. It is essential training for a heart that will willingly submit to God and what he calls them to do later in life. The only way anyone can come to God is in full submission and humility. If we allow our children to be rebellious and disobey our commands, we are training them in reverse. We are teaching them that it is okay to disregard authority, okay to give in to what their flesh wants. We are teaching them God will let them slide just like their parents do. You are teaching them a lie. You are teaching them SIN. Teach your children to obey, always. Do away with warnings for bad behavior, do away with extra chances so they can elude the consequences. Be patient, set reasonable expectations and give clear consequences beforehand (just like God has for us). I know this is no easy task. Godly parenting is hard work - and it should be! Think what we are preparing them for - godly living in the midst of darkness - spiritual war! Also important: teach them to respect the authority of your husband. Allow them to fear the “wrath of Dad” when they do something wrong. This is a healthy fear. Knowing that Dad possesses authority to hand out judgement and deal the punishment. The father is their representative of God himself (mothers too but not nearly in the same significance). Support him in this difficult, vital role. He will not always carry it out perfectly (he really isn’t God) but stand by him. All this must be done saturated in love. “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Eph. 6:4. Remember the grace and mercy lavished upon us by our Heavenly Father. We must also display these attributes often to our children. We do not discipline for the sake of power control, we discipline because we love our children so much and desire them to fear the Lord. Love your children well by teaching them obedience. Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. - Psalm 119:37
The answer to your current life question is in the Bible. The cure for your anxiety is found there too. When you need help, you need the Bible. Ladies, Jesus is the answer to every problem you have. I could load this blog with scripture to back this up, however, here are just a few:
My concern for you women today is this: that you have displaced the Bible in your life. Instead of going to God’s Word you head to the doctor, or the internet, or the refrigerator, or go looking for easy affection. Always running after the answer you are longing for. Some of you turn to your husband, your children, or a friend (is your first reaction to your situation to text someone?). Some run, some drink, some wait for signs. All while the Bible lays there with the answer, unopened. Whatever (or whoever) you turn to first when you have a question or problem, THAT is what you have made your “bible”. What is it for you? I know many will think I am simplifying this too much. Because, obviously, I don’t know what you are dealing with right now. Nope, I don't. But I do know what God has brought me through in my own life. From the suicide of a loved one to depression, marital strife to the trials of motherhood, God’s Word has been my anchor and always will be. I can confidently say along with David, “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” Psalm 18:30. Are you supposed to leave your unfaithful husband? Are you to change jobs? Should you leave your career and stay home to train up children? Is this depression a physical reality needing medical attention or could it be spiritual? There is a right decision to each of these questions. No need for the “trial and error” method, we have all been down that road. It is a waste of life. Instead look to God and read what he has to say about it. Keep reading until you get the answer. Through his Word and the working of his Holy Spirit, God will provide the wisdom and insight needed for your assurance. This should be the lifestyle of a Christian woman - reading scripture faithfully, routinely and intentionally. Filling yourself with God’s Word is the pathway to becoming wise. There is no true intelligence outside of having the saving knowledge of God first (Proverbs 1:7). Anything else is folly. Can we really trust the promises of God? For me, I can say, “Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.” (Ps. 119:140). God has proven true over and over in my life. I encourage you to trust him enough to try his promises too. Ask your Loving Father for wisdom as a daughter needing counsel and guidance - he gives generously! Ladies, do not allow anything or anyone to take the place of God’s Word in your life. Let the Bible be what it is meant to be - your source of truth and wisdom from the mouth of God. Use it. “I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” - Philippians 4:18
Giving is worship of God. In the verse above, Paul is comparing the funds sent by the Philippians to the old testament blood sacrifices and is saying it is “acceptable and pleasing to God”. This financial offering and sacrifice of the Philippian church was an act of them worshipping God. The same is true of us when we give sacrificially and joyfully out of obedience to God. Giving is another godly discipline that we women need to be intentional in. This coordinates with chapter 16 of Barbara Hughes’ book, Disciplines of a Godly Woman and will be my final blog in this series. Giving is a deep heart issue and goes way beyond allotting God one dime out of every dollar so we can check it off our “Christian to do list”. The Bible has much to say about our money and how we use it - and it should, for we humans are often consumed by this subject. We are told to lay up our treasures in Heaven and not on earth, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21. There is great warning in this verse, we need to heed it and examine ourselves honestly. Where is your heart? Giving is not something “extra” we do. Nor is it something we do if or when we are able to or only for those who “can afford it.” Putting money in the offertory is not like the whip cream on top of your Christian latte. It is one of the essential ingredients of your latte. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to recognize your drink as coffee. We give to God because that is what those who are called by his name do. This goes beyond the balance of our bank account. Remember that Jesus was pleased with the poor widow who put “two small copper coins, which makes a penny” into the temple treasury (Mark 12:41-44). Others were there “contributing out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty” put in “all she had to live on.” What great faith! There are too many of us acting like the rich people, giving great sums out of our abundance. But those sums are not affecting our lifestyles one bit. We give more, but trust God less. That type of giving lacks faith in God and is not worship. Paul also praised the Macedonians who “gave beyond their means” for the relief of their fellow saints who were suffering (2 Cor. 8:1-7). Paul said, “for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” Inspired by God, those in affliction gave to help others in affliction - what great love, what great faith! In Exodus 19:5 the Lord says, “all the earth is mine.” Everything we think of as “ours” is truly God’s, yet God has apportioned to each of us a set amount to test us in our faithfulness. Let’s work at being found faithful. Let’s strive to be abundantly generous in every way. Instead of asking ourselves how much we should give to God, maybe we should begin to ask ourselves how much we actually need to keep of what he gives us. Giving is not reserved for special occasions or for only when serious needs arise. Giving should be a regular and routine spiritual habit we engage in with joy and cheerfulness. “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor. 9:6-7. Ladies, let’s worship God with all he has blessed us with. For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. - Acts 4:20
To witness = to evangelize = to share the gospel message of salvation in Jesus Christ alone. When compiling a list of disciplines for Christian women to engage in, this one needs to be at the top. It is not optional. God does not say, “Will you please let other people know about me?” No, here are his words for us:
Testifying to what Jesus has done is a direct command upon our lives. Yet it isn’t always easy. Here are a few reminders when it comes to witnessing and some encouragement too: First, remember that you must use the Word of God (great reason to memorize scripture). His words are the way that God has ordained that his salvation will take root in hearts. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17. You may not feel totally equipped - get over it. Even the blind man Jesus healed in John 9, testified to what God had done for him without first receiving years of instruction on how to go about it. “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” v. 9. If God has redeemed you, there is at least “one thing” you know too. That God saved you from the sinful wretch that you were and made you his own. You are able to testify that his word is true and that he is great. However, do not allow the feeling of being unequipped to linger, get yourself equipped! Secondly, realize that God doesn’t call everyone to stand on the street corner to preach the Good News (though he does some!). God has made each of us unique. He wants you to use the gifts and skills he has given you to reach others. Your ways and methods of gospel proclamation will be compatible with your personality. For example, those who have the gift of hospitality should use that gift to love on others with the purpose of it providing opportunities to share Christ. Thirdly, realize that successful witnessing does not equate to souls being won to Christ. That is God’s job. Successful witnessing is the act of sharingthe message of salvation in Jesus. When you share the gospel in a clear and complete way (using God’s Word), you have evangelized. Fourth, most people hear the gospel many times before actually coming to Christ. This is a good reason to share continually and repetitively. Even to those you have shared with before (like family members). Do not become discouraged, God will call those who are his when he chooses. Author Donald Whitney likens sharing the gospel to handing out lightning rods in a thunderstorm. You don’t know when or who the lightning will strike, but you do know that it will strike. You don’t know who God has chosen or when his gospel power will strike, but he promises it will strike. Finally, witnessing must be an intentional discipline for us. We can live most of our lives hanging out with our own families and other Christians. We need tomake gospel opportunities, not just wait around for them. There are legions of people dead in their sins in this world. We have to go to them, they do not know to come to us. They do not know that we have the cure to death and damnation within us...but we do. We know that Jesus is the answer, we know they need to repent and believe in the Savior. We must go to them! We must tell them that their only hope is Jesus Christ. She was full of good works and acts of charity. - Acts 9:36
If someone had to describe you in one sentence, what would that sentence be? The one above it pretty darn good. It was said of a woman named Tabitha and was written down as scripture for us to read over the centuries - including today. Tabitha is a great example for us of the impact a life of good works has upon others. Tabitha was a disciple of Jesus, she became ill and died. Her friends mourned deeply for her. So much so that two men, also disciples, went to get Peter. The scripture says that “Peter rose and went with them.” When he arrived the widows were weeping and showing him the garments that Tabitha had made for them. Peter put the mourners outside, prayed and Tabitha was brought back to life. Because of this many believed in Jesus. This true story is found in Acts 9:36-43. This blog coordinates with chapter 14 in Barbara Hughes’ book, Disciplines of a Godly Woman. How important are good works in the life of a believer? Exceedingly. As James says, “I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:18. Good works flow from the inside out. They are what is produced when a heart has been redeemed by God and is consumed by the truth of his Word. If you have true faith, you will have good works. Before going further let’s make this clear: you will never be saved by anything you do. Ever. No amount of church attendance, communion consumption, baptismal dunks, mission trips, millions donated or copious good deeds will get you even an inch closer to acceptance by God. You can’t even choose Jesus without him first calling you. This is because God says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Eph. 2:8-9. God alone gets boasting rights of grace given as a gift. Take God at his Word and do not twist it. Yet, God has great things for us to do once we are his. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10. The Ultimate Creator not only handcrafted each of us but also the tasks we are to do while here on earth. Our job is to walk forward and be actively involved in what God has planned. We do this all for the glory of God. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matt. 5:16. When we serve others, we do so while speaking our love for our Savior. When we help the hurting we do so while sharing the reason for our hope - Jesus Christ. “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!” Ps. 115:1. Where do we start? Right where God has placed you. Let your good works overflow within the sphere of influence God has assigned you - your family, your neighbors, and your community, but especially to the Church, local and worldwide. “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Gal. 6:10. Ladies, the intentions of God are upon your life. Walk in the good works prepared for you long ago, knowing God designed you for them. Like Tabitha, let it be said of us, “She was full of good works and acts of charity.” All for the glory of our great God. The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.- Genesis 3:20
No one can nurture like a woman. Sure men can care for others too, but not with the same touch a woman has. Nurturing is a gift of feminine nature tucked deep within our hearts by God. Who do children run to when they are hurt, sick, or hungry? Mom. We care. We love. We provide. We encourage. We nurture. Adam even “called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.” Gen. 3:20. Adam knew his beloved wife was set apart for something unique that he was not capable of. From her womb would come forth more likenesses of God that would eventually fill the earth. In her name was the image of a nurturer. We women were made with the pattern of Eve. Our bodies were designed by the our Creator to nurture life from the very beginning. Though many try to deny, distort or even destroy this fact of life, it remains true. Our physical body reminds us of this uniqueness each month. When God grants conception, our bodies care for that delicate life until birth, then our female bodies are equipped to provide the food the young life needs to survive. Women were chosen to produce and sustain life! That is amazing! Today’s society may downplay this incredible gift, as if it is some menial task to put up with, endure or even disdain. Don’t you agree with them for a moment. It is an incredible gift from God. Nurturing is essential for the well-being of everyone. The world would not survive or thrive without it. Nurturing goes well beyond the physical into the spiritual. In the Bible, Timothy’s mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, were credited with nurturing him spiritually. Nurturing includes the teaching and training up of our young ones to know and honor the Lord. Cultivate this trait in your daughters and other young women. Teach them to refute the claims that loving and caring for their families and homes is old fashioned and oppressive. Teach them to hold up all claims made by the world against the truth of God’s Word. The discipline of nurturing is not limited to motherhood. It is a gift to be used by all women in all seasons of life. There are many in need of care all around us. We should serve as Jesus served: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” John 13:14-15. Pay attention to the sphere of influence God has placed you in, including family, friends and neighbors. We should be especially attentive to those in our church family (Gal. 6:10). We women provide the gentle caress that all lives need and even long for. Don’t allow the world to cause you to deny what you know within to be true. It is why we feel for others like we do, it is why we care for people we don’t even know. It is the longing inside of us to help the hurting, to fix the broken and to care for the neglected. It is a Christ-like call upon your life, listen to it and cherish it. |
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