Tuesday Tidbit

God Made Moms To Teach Their Children...A Mother's Love

A wise woman shared with me several years ago that what I do for my children should not be for them to love me but because I love them. What a seed she planted in my life as well as my children's lives and all children close to me. This particularly wise woman doesn't have any children of her own but she has nurtured her nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews with this type of love. A mother's love. When you think about God's discipline and His correcting that's just how he does it. He's responding out of His love for us not for Him to receive our love even though I'm sure He desires that from His children. When we make our children eat the vegetables they don't like it's because we love them and know it's one of the requirements for them to grow strong and healthy. When we set a scheduled time for bed, it's not just because we want some down time, it's because we know they need their rest to be productive in school the next day. When we tell them "no" because we know it's for their own good, that's a mother responding out of love for her child. I've had one of my very lovable children say to me on several occasions that they hate having me as their mother because I always tell them "no" and I've always responded I love you more. That same response as gotten me an apology and hugs later. Acting of love is always best. Just a couple of weekends ago I spent a day with two of my active nephews who probably think I'm the worst auntie ever because I try and hold them accountable for their actions. Well after a morning of being disobedient to what I had requested of them, I finally told them their disobedience had cost them the privilege of being treated to something special that day. I explained to them that obedience is always better than sacrifice. Towards the end of our day together, I told them I discipline them not because I'm mean and impatient but because I love them and want only the best for them. I do it because I love them and not for them to love me because in the end, I know they will love me even more for being the one who loved them enough to say "stop it" or even strong enough to tell them "no". A mother's love goes a long way when she's doing it out of love and not just for the temporal sake of love from the ones she's loving.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice. ~Delphine

Hebrews 12:7-11 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Titus 2:4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.