Wednesday, January 16, 2008

The Very Best Resolutions

I received this incredible devotional for mothers today as a forward in my inbox. It comes from Proverbs 31 Ministries. It hit home with me so very much that I just had to share it:

It's that time when many of us are making New Year's resolutions, so how about some resolutions for mothers? Here are mine:

I will put my Bible before the television, the radio, the telephone, and even before good Christian books, for my children will know my priorities by the way they see me spend my free time.

I will make my prayer requests known before God and my children, enlisting their help in the process and informing them of the outcome, for by letting them help when I petition our Lord will they learn of a living God who still answers prayer.

When times of crisis, conflict or confusion arise, I will hit my knees before I hit the phone knowing that by my example my children will discover that although friends are important, God alone is the one who holds the solution to life's every problem.

I will erase the words "luck" and "lucky" from my vocabulary and will instead by my speech point my children toward the One who orchestrates every detail of our lives and brings all good things to pass, for by this my children will learn of an omniscient God.

When bad things happen, I'll neither grumble nor complain, but will instead help my children see that in the scope of our lives even the bad times are allowed for a reason, for by this my children will learn quiet trust in their Maker.

When normal childhood mishaps occur, I will remember that although difficult, it is still easier to remove grape juice from off-white carpet than to erase harsh and unloving words hurled at a child whose chubby little fingers have failed her, for by this my children will see a God who understands when our best efforts fall short.

When my children have witnessed something ugly in me - unkind words, an angry temper, "harmless" gossip, biting sarcasm or even my infamous "mommy pout" when things don't go my way - I will confess it as sin before them seeking their forgiveness, for by this my children will develop the much needed habit of wiping their spiritual slate clean before God and man.

I will teach my children the importance of cleanliness and order while at the same time remain sensitive to the fact that a skinned knee or hurt feeling is more crucial than a spotless floor or uncluttered counter, for by this my children will learn to value people above things.

I will make time for the lonely, the sick, the elderly, the difficult to love, and will bring my children along, for with each afternoon visit, each ride to the doctor, each raked lawn or washed window they will have opportunity to serve Jesus by serving the "least of these."

I will make our home a haven of rest and retreat from the outside world and a welcomed place for my children's friends, for with each impromptu backyard soccer game, each video viewed on a rainy day, each cup of hot cocoa or chocolate chip cookie, my children will have opportunity to practice the art of Christian hospitality thereby learning to share all God has given them.

I will by my actions and my speech let my children see a mom love their dad, for by this will my children sense family stability at a time when marriages all around them are crumbling.

I will not require of my children obedience, honesty, patience or kindness without first being willing to submit to the same rules whether in speed limit, in miscounted change from the grocery store or when answering a toddler for the fourteenth time, for by this my children will see a mother who is also learning and not a perfect parent to whom they'll never measure up.

In all things will I remember that more is caught than is taught.

There are little eyes upon you, mom. You are the first Bible your children will ever read.

Dear Lord, may my goals this year spring from a right relationship with You and may carrying them out point others heavenward. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

That really spoke to me today.
I am so glad your shared it with us.

Love ya,
Lorna

Andrea said...

WOW that was great!
Seems prety overwhelming though. I guess I need to think one minute, one hour, one day at a time.
Thank you for sharing.

KarenW said...

I can't say much more than, "WOW!" That was really good. I'm going to copy it and put it on my desk Thanks!

ConservaChick said...

This is just what I needed to hear today. Thank you. On the first resolution about putting God before T.V., the phone, etc, they needed computer in there. I say that as I'm blogging BEFORE I prayed this morning. Talk about bad examples for the kiddos. Ouch.. I'm convicted. ~K

Leanne said...

Wow, I'm blown away by that! I want to get a hard copy of that...it was great but OUCH too!!!

Gayle, thank you so much for your sweet words of compassion as I walk this road again. The support of my bloggy girlfriends means the world to me and I couldn't do this without all of your prayers. I appreciate the fact that you still want to read my blog even through the toughest stuff....thank you.

How's your search for that perfect van going??

LOVE TONS!

Leanne from Longview WA

Cindy-Still His Girl said...

Hey girl. Just popped in to say you are THE BEST and I'm thankful God let our bloggy paths cross. :)

Gayle said...

Wow, that really spoke to me. I'm going to print it off and put it on my fridge!

EEEEMommy said...

Very convicting and challenging! Thanks for sharing! I agree with the others, I need to print it out. Maybe I should tape it to the computer screen. ;)