Today I needed to read Emilie Barnes' words... it has been a trying few days with my son. His new-found independence and strong will have been testing my waters...and I have grown weary of sounding like a broken record, weary of popping his hand or leg, weary of his tears and whining, weary of fighting the same battle...and this is only the beginning! The last two afternoons, I have been overcome with the responsibility I have to teach this little man what it is to be a man, to be obedient, to respect authority, and trust in my love. I know that the lessons I teach him now will most likely shape how He views God...and how I desperately desire for Him to love God, to experience God's love personally, and to give every part of Himself to serving God. So when I picked up my devotional book and read about Daniel, I was encouraged to stand by my convictions and draw my strength from God so that I can know I have done my best. For you other weary mothers out there, I hope these words are encouraging to you as well.
From
15 Minutes of Peace with God by Emilie Barnes, p. 11-12:
Daniel 1:1-21
In the book of Daniel we see a son who was raised by the teachings found in Leviticus 11. Daniel did not want to defile his body by eating foods that were unclean or had been offered to pagan idols before being put on the king's table. (Eating food offered to a pagan god was an indication of loyalty to that god.)
Notice the deep commitment of faith which enabled these young men to take the stands they took. They bore testimony to the faithfulness of mothers and fathers who taught them the central issues of obedience and faithfulness to biblical principles.
Because of this, Daniel was able to withstand the forces he faced in a hostile land. But since he was captured by the Babylonians and taken from his Israeli homeland, his mother may never have known the results of her early training while he was still in her home.
This value of teaching future generations has been impressed on me since I have two children and five grandchildren. We as mothers may never live to see how our children will respond as adults, but we must be faithful in raising our children to be responsible adults. I'm sure Daniel's mother prayed for him when he was young. She also continued to pray for him during the time of exile.
Whether or not she knew what Daniel had achieved, she had done the best job she could do as a mom: to raise a son who as an adult would follow the leading of the Lord.
As we look at our children we never know of their potential or what they will be as adults. But like Daniel's mother, we must continue as best as we know how to raise and prepare our children for God's calling.
(this is the prayer Emilie writes at the end, but I have changed part of it to make it personal to me...)
Father God, at times I become so discouraged as a mom. At times I sound like a squeaky wheel around my children and family. But You know that I want the very best for them. I want them to know of Your love for them, how to live a disciplined life, to be responsible for their actions, and how to make wise choices. Even though I may not live to see them grown and I constantly fail, I want You to know that my desire is to make them the children You would have them be. Thank You for putting that desire in my heart. Amen. Gladys Brooks once said, "Discipline is demanded of the athlete to win a game. Discipline is required for the captain running his ship. Discipline is needed for the pianist to practice for the concert. Only in the matter of personal conduct is the need for discipline questioned. But if parents believe standards are necessary, then discipline certainly is needed to attain them."
