Positive Influence

“I thank God . . . when I call to remembrance

the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt

first in your grandmother Lois and your mother

Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.”

     2 Timothy 1:3, 5 (NKJV)

Children are a blessing from God and as Christians, we have a special responsibility in raising them. Mothers (as well as fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.) play an important role in helping to "bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." (Eph. 6:4, NKJV)

I think we’d all like to know that our children are walking with the Lord, but that doesn't come just by virtue of having a Christian upbringing. This is a personal decision that everyone needs to make for themselves.  Our children have free will and they have to choose to accept Christ or not.  However, we do have some important tools that we can use to have a positive influence on our children:

Power of our words:  The words we use have great power---to build up or tear down, to encourage or to dishearten others.  At times, we all say things rashly or idly that we wish we could take back, but once said, they can’t be retracted. However, we can apologize and that is a wonderful teachable moment for our children.

Power of our prayers:  Committing our children to the Lord in prayer on a daily basis is one of the most important things we can do.  Interceding on behalf of them, entrusting our petitions for them to God is powerful.  And letting our children know that we pray for them is also a way to strengthen them and help them realize the importance of prayer.

Power of our walk:   How we act is just as important as what we say, and of course, we should strive for consistency between the two. Demonstrating grace, mercy, forgiveness, charity, obedience, etc. to our children speaks volumes. And we should not be afraid to admit when we make mistakes, to show how we get back on track with God and our Christian walk.

I want to wish a special Mother’s Day blessing on all the mothers here and encourage you to leave a legacy of faith with your children.  Keep praying that they will "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18, NKJV)