As a Mom, I want to give my daughter everything I felt I lacked in my childhood.  Unfortunately, that means an excess of toys and clothes, but mostly I want her to have a foundation of Christian principles in her life.

Both of my parents had to work outside of the home to provide for us.  I appreciate all that they did.  I never lacked for food, clothing, or a roof over my head.   However, I really did want to be home with our daughter and I’m thankful that I am.  As a child, I spent many afternoons at home alone until my parents arrived.  My siblings were older, so by the age of 8  I was a latch-key kid until 6pm.

I pray our daughter will never have to come home to an empty house.  And I can’t imagine leaving her here alone at 8 years of age.   That is only 2 years from now … wow.

I don’t remember a lot of physical contact in my childhood, so I make a conscious effort (and it is my great pleasure) to cover my child in kisses.  She is often found in my lap, snuggled safe and sound.  Between me and my husband, she is always lavished in love and KNOWS that she is adored!    We tell her daily that she is beautiful and smart.

Oh, can you imagine hearing words like that each day as a child?

My husband and I plant seeds daily.

Honestly, we all plant seeds daily.  Some of us may not realize the seeds our words plant.

What type of seeds are you planting with your children or the children who are in your life?

Even though most of our parents tried their best in raising us, many of us can find areas where we can improve with our own children.  Hindsight is always 20/20 isn’t it?  It is easy to learn from the mistakes of others.  (I’m sure our children will try to improve on our parenting techniques as well.  And I hope they do!  Each generation getting closer to Jesus.)

As a woman who loves God and loves my little family, it is my desire to fill my role in a way that would please the Lord.   I want to be a wife and mother who reflects Jesus.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure I fail often — but God knows my heart is to please Him.

Joni Lamb interviewed Victoria Jackson on Joni’s Table Talk this morning.  Victoria made a great statement when she said, “I believe God made marriage to teach us to be more like Him:  forgiveness, unselfishness, patience, love, unconditional love …” After 22 years of marriage, I can say, “AMEN!”   But isn’t the same true with family?  God gives us the family we have so that we can learn to be more like Him.

What are you consciously doing to serve your family today?

Would you like to join other women having this discussion?  If so, click on the button below:

Here are two other link-ups celebrating family:

 

Titus 2:3-5
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children,  to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.