Now that you have been following God’s instructions for Christian mothering, how is it going?
Now we are going to look at how mothers are love their children.
The Greek language has several words for love.
Agapeo is the kind of love God has for us as His children. He loves us in spite of our sin; He loves us unconditionally; and He loves us regardless and no matter what.
Phileo is the word God chose to convey mother-love here in Titus 2:4. Phileo love is affectionate love, a love that cherishes its object. It is friendship love, a love that enjoys children, a love that likes them!
God calls parents to build the family on a foundation of biblical teaching, instruction, and discipline.
The home gains a heart, however, when parents not only love their children but like them as well.
How do we put this kind of love to practice? There are ten marks of motherly affection…
1. A Heart That Prays
The greatest gift of love we can give our children is to pray for them.
Begin each day by praying for your children benefits them in countless ways even as it draws them deeper into your heart.
2. A Heart That Provides
A heart overflowing with motherly affection lovingly and graciously provides the necessities of life for her precious family – nourishing food, clean clothing, and a safe home.
Where are you lacking in your providing? Scheduled meals, clean bodies, clean clothes, and adequate sleep and rest?
3. A Heart That Is Happy
When our family can count on us to be happy, home life and family relationships take a leap toward heaven. Strive to be happy. Have you ever noticed how contagious a positive attitude is?
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD. – Psalm 113:9
You create the atmosphere of the home with your attitude.
The author describes an account given by a child who looked forward to visiting with his dad over spending time with friends because his dad would “light up” when he walked in the room. His dad conveyed a nonverbal message that was loud and clear to him that he was very important to his dad and his dad was excited to see him.
4. A Heart That Gives
Give because it is your role.
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. – Mark 10:45
As Christians we are to give, as wives we are to give, as mothers we are to give, as singles we are to give, as members of a church body we are to give.
What can we give?
We give the smile, the cheerful greeting, the hug, the compliment, the encouragement, the praise, the meal, the time, the listening ear, the ride…..
Someone must see the family as worth fighting for, worth calling a career, worth the hard work of training a child in godliness, worth the relentless tasks involved in running a home.
Give generously.
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. – 2 Corinthians 9:6
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. – Galations 6:7
What you put into your children on a daily basis is what you will gain back in years to come. Seeds of patience or impatience, faith in God or lack of faith, kindness or selfishness.
Give expecting nothing in return.
We serve and take care of our children simply because God says to. Just as we do for our husbands, we give to our children expecting nothing in return.
Don’t give motherly love in order to receive praise, thanks recognition, or good behavior.
5. A Heart of Fun
Smile, laugh, have fun with your family. Living in your home should be peaceful and refreshing, not a war zone. Learn to smile and laugh a lot.
Let the meal be a time for physical refreshment and pleasant fellowship.
Ask God to fill your heart with more love for your children – with love that prays for and takes care of our children, a love that teaches and trains, and a love that laughs and plays.
WORKBOOK
* A Heart That Prays
What kind of prayers are you praying for your children?
* A Heart That Provides
Read Proverbs 31:10-31. List the provisions this godly mother made for her family.
Are there any “basics” your children are missing out on at home?
What will you do this week to remedy this situation so that yours is a heart overflowing with motherly affection?
* A Heart That Is Happy
Read Proverbs 12:25
How can your happy heart and a good word minister to your family?
How can your lack of a happy heart and a good word affect them negatively?
Read Proverbs 15:13
Read Proverbs 15:15
Read Proverbs 17:22
Does being cheerful and being “up” and “lighting up” for your family sound unimportant? Hypocritical? Impossible?
Your happiness is a powerful influence!
* A Heart That Gives
Look at these verses in your Bible and write out in a few words how each encourages you to nurture a heart that gives.
John 3:16
Mark 10:45
What are some ways that you can give?
* A Heart of Fun
- Check out a riddle book from the library
- read a comic book with your children
- have a “tickle time”
- have a pillow fight
- play a video game with your children
- go out for a “fun” time that’s not connected with any errands
- ask other mothers for their “fun” ideas
Memorize these verses
Mark 10:45
Proverbs 12:25
In your prayer journal, relate in 100 words or less one instance when you actively chose to give motherly affection to your children. Then thank God for His grace to make that choice.
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