A WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE

A Mother's Love

uncomfortableness were a part of the growing process.

When I was praying one day, I heard the Father ask me if I knew what it meant to be a mother? I was a little perplexed by the question. I went to the book that I had been reading and it couldn’t answer that question for me. The only answer that I could come up with was, "I’m not sure". That was the one question I couldn’t answer without going to Him. The book couldn't provide answers. My friends didn't know the answer. They could all speculate and pay me compliments like "You're going to be a great mother". Other mothers', in their experiential wisdom, could only offer me what they knew of their personal journeys. I had to ask the only One who knew the answer because He knew me.Rhoda

TURNER

When I was pregnant with my first child, I wanted to protect her from everything. I decided to childproof my house; like every other expecting mother would do. I started researching items and things that I should purchase to make my home safe. We lived in a two-story condominium, so the first thing I bought was a gate. I purchased and installed cabinet locks for the bottom cabinets in the kitchen and the bathroom cabinets. Also, on the list were the covers that went over the doorknobs to stop her from opening doors when she started walking. I had my husband install a toilet clip that prevented her from lifting the toilet seat. I bought a cover to go over the bathtub faucet so that if she happened to lean her head back, she would not hit a hard surface but a soft one, and then outfitted the inside of the tub with mats to stop her from slipping when she stood up. I made sure we had everything that we needed, and probably stuff that we didn't need.

I was super excited about being a Mom. I started reading all the parenting books. My go to book was “What to Expect When Expecting.” It was my pregnancy guide. When I felt like something was wrong, the book reassured me that everything was going to be okay and that those aches, pains and bouts of So, in prayer I asked God what my role is as a mother, and He shared three words: love, train, and discipline. I went to the Scriptures to find confirmation and applicable verses that I could apply to my life in my new role.

Love- an intense feeling of deep affection “And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:39 NKJV

Train- to teach a person a different skill or behavior. “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

Discipline- to train someone to obey rules “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.” Proverbs22:15 NKJV

I realized that each of those words are verbs. It was something that I had to do. It wasn't just about a title or role; it was about how I actively engaged in the role. It was my participation in the assignment. I learned that for every action there is a reaction. If you do your part as a parent, they will do their part as the child. Pastor Rhoda

Turner

I encourage you to partner your role with Christian Faith corresponding actions that will produce Fellowship Church desirable fruit in your children. Chandler, AZ www.cffaz.org