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Show Them the Way

"These commandments that I give you today are to be on our hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."¹

This weekend we will be celebrating Mother's Day here in the United States. Mothers (and Fathers) have been given the amazing gift of not only being able to have children, but also to be the most influential teachers that our children will ever have. Every moment we spend with our children is a teaching moment. This can seem like a daunting task at times, but when we look to the Bible as our "instruction manual", the load gets a little lighter. 

At times we don't realize how even the most mundane things we do can leave the biggest impact on our children. I once heard the story of a mother who would read the Bible daily to relax and refocus. Although she did this quietly and privately, her young daughter would observe her doing this day after day. One day the daughter asked, "Mom, are you ever going to be done reading that book?" The mother giggled and replied,"This book is the most important book you will ever read. It is not only full of great stories, but it will also teach me how to be the best mommy I can be for you, so that you can grow to be the person God wants you to be too."

Theodore Roosevelt once said that "Praying mothers are America's greatest assets." In today's world where we are surrounded by so many opinions that go against the Word of God, this statement is truer than ever before. We can't be with our children every moment of the day, but the things they learn from us will be recorded in their hearts and stay with with them along the way. Things like prayer, honesty, kindness, humility, respect, and a true love for God are best taught by example. As we model what being a child of God looks like, our children will begin to imitate us. For those of us who don't have children or whose children have already grown, just remember that there are eyes everywhere that are watching us. Even a person we don't personally know can be impacted by our actions. Let us show them the way and take advantage of every opportunity God gives us to teach our children (and others) to love and honor Him.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, please allow me to be a positive role model, not only for my children but also for others around me. May I always be like Jesus, and in doing so, show my children the way to you. We pray a special blessing on all the mothers around the world. May you fill them with your peace and joy, and  give them strength to do the great work you have set before them. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen.

1. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV). 

Today's Encounter was written by: Crystal B.