http://sandykayslawsonWriter.org
As a Christian fiction and non-fiction writer, I believe in the power of words. I believe in the power of The Word most of all….
Jesus, The Word made flesh.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
My devotions and stories may entertain, enlighten, or educate, but His words are the very words of life. Here is what Jesus asked the twelve disciples after many others turned their backs on Him:
“Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’ Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that You are the Holy One of God.’”
Maybe you’re asking, “But what does this have to do with raising children? Or being a mother?”
Good questions. It has everything to do with being a godly mother. Teaching your children the Old and New Testaments, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the single most important thing you can do for your kids. Showing them how they fit in God’s story gives them meaning and a purpose for life that isn’t all about them. It’s much much bigger.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
Speak Biblical truth into your children’s lives and it will give encouragement, it will plant the seeds of faith, it will bless them with wisdom, understanding, and it will teach them about their Creator and their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Of course, I am a proponent of reading to your children, and there are many worthy stories out there that impart valuable lessons, and let your babies’ imaginations soar, but there is none so worthy as The Holy Bible. If you must choose one book, choose that one.
In order to instill in your children these God-breathed words, you will first need to read them, study them, and believe them yourself. You can’t give to your children what you don’t have. Perhaps you’ve read, studied, and memorized the Scriptures from your own childhood.
How did your parents or another loved one train you? What worked? What didn’t? Does your child learn like you? Or do they march to the beat of a different drummer?
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Communicating the truths of God’s word to your children should be a designated, daily endeavor, but also a way of life. Reading it together, memorizing it together, and living it out together. These can be serious, reverent times, and times of fun and laughter. One of my favorite memories of childhood is having Bible quizzes with my family on drives. In today’s time, we have Biblically sound tv shows, movies, and games made for the purpose of drawing us closer to the Lord.
Many churches have programs that focus on Bible memorization for children outside of Sunday School. For example, AWANA, RA’s, GA’s, and Bible Drill. I highly encourage you to involve your children in programs that allow them to see others, young and old, enjoying and believing in the Bible, too.
Thus far, I’ve attempted to convey the importance of God’s word because it ought to be of foremost importance in our homes. But other words have power as well, though to a lesser degree. And spoken messages in the home, I’m convinced, are the ones that stay with us year after year for better or worse.
How often do we repeat to our own children what we heard from parents, grandparents, or other familial adults from our formative years?
Unconscious or conscious, it has a way of finding its way into our vocabulary. Sometimes it’s a wonderful memory that brings with it joy and a reminder that with God all things are possible, that we are special, loved, and capable. But for some of us the messages given were quite the opposite. Maybe the words we say to our families, the ones we regret, come from wounds that never healed.
And we are back to the Word of God. Back to the One who makes all things new. The One who forgives, cleanses, heals, and washes away every stain of sin by His own Blood. Let Him bind those wounds, so they don’t hurt another. If there were no words of love and encouragement in your childhood, learn from Him. And if you have wounded someone with a sharp, critical tongue, make it right while you can, and move forward in freedom to be the voice of truth and love for your children, your husband, your family. The voice you needed as a little girl. And still need now.
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:29-32
It’s impossible to tame the tongue completely, but when we slip, we can acknowledge and repent of our weakness. And we can break the chains of our pasts that have us repeating the same mistakes others may have made in our earliest memories. Mistakes that may still pain us today.
Sticks and stones may break bones, but words can make or break a spirit. Choose the words of life. Those that strengthen and champion. And those that build confidence in an eternal God who loves and cares and saves.
While there is breath, there is hope. Words may have wounded, let them now heal. There is a beautiful hymn written by Philip P. Bliss in 1874 entitled “Wonderful Words of Life.” I’ll end with a snippet of that beautiful old song:
“Sweetly echo the Gospel call, Wonderful words of life; Offer pardon and peace to all, Wonderful words of life.”
If you are interested in learning more about how to incorporate Biblical teaching into your parenting, listen to the Spotify podcast below. In this conversation, Candace Nassar, MomQ founder and teacher, speaks with Lee Anne Mancini, author of Raising Kids to Follow Christ, discussing the alarming statistics regarding faith retention among children from Christian families. They explore key principles for instilling a lifelong trust in God, the importance of church involvement, character development, and the role of apologetics in parenting. Leanne emphasizes the need for parents to model biblical principles and engage in their children’s spiritual education from an early age, while also addressing the significance of discipline and the impact of love and grace in parenting.
At MomQ we believe that motherhood is a calling from God. While it is both a privilege and an honor, it is by no means easy! Moms have a lot of questions/concerns and need caring support along their journey. Whether you are a brand new mom or a little more seasoned, MomQ is here to help you fulfill your God given role. Don’t see a group in your area? Contact us today about starting one in your community!
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