Today, the grandchildren played an hour-long "concert" at the Hardee County FL Pioneer Days, with about 450 people in the audience. It is a blessing that they are getting to be a little more natural on stage, as before each performance, we pray that the Lord will allow us to portray to the world what He intends the family to be. I believe the children are grasping that vision.The "Little Cousins" were a special hit -- that's Abby, Markie, Benny, Margaret Anne, Andrew, Rosie, Rachel, and C.J. They get up and sing Roy Rogers/Dale Evans songs in their western outfits, and the audience always loves it.
The director of the event said he had never seen this audience give any group a standing ovation, but they did today. Some of the girls (older, as well as little) are refining their yodeling skills, and it was a hit. Okay enough proud grandmama!
In the next few days, I would like to post the compositions written by the older grandchildren for their competition coming up in April. They have all worked diligently on these, and my husband and I (as well as their parents, of course) are so blessed to be able to see into their hearts a little bit. The first essay is by sweet Callie (pictured above) and gives us a peek at her heart for motherhood.
THE NOBLE CALLING OF MOTHERHOOD
Mother, whoever you may be,
You may think long and earnestly
Of your high calling. Pondering
The undreamed honor of the thing;
Learning how God, through you, would plan
To be well known to every man.
And through your arms would gather fast
The whole world to His heart at last.
Faye Inchfawn
Yes, the calling of motherhood is a noble and high calling, and yet this role has been degraded and belittled in these times in which we live. Many women have bought into the lie of feminism that the role of a mother is not important and that motherhood is secondary to their careers. These women have not been taught how vitally important it is to be a mother, and they misunderstand the glorious opportunity they have to raise a Godly remnant. Many women today are complaining about motherhood rather than finding the joy and contentment God intended for them. “ There is no higher calling, no greater privilege than being a vessel of life and later a teacher to souls which will live forever,” implores Mrs. Beall Phillips in her book, Verses of Virtue.
From the time a mother finds out she is expecting a child she is filled with joy and anticipation. She is careful to take good care of herself and her child. She has many hopes and dreams for her child. The natural tendency for a mother is to have the baby’s best interest in mind. When the child is born, this is only the beginning of a life-long journey of commitment. This is where many women fall short. They feel pressure to get back to their jobs and allow others the privilege of raising their children. The mother’s choice will have an influence, positive or negative, all the days of her child’s life.
The responsibilities of a mother are great, but the rewards are greater. A mother is to be a teacher of her children. First and most importantly, as stated in Deuteronomy 6:6-7a, she should teach her children the Word of God, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children…” The rewards for obeying this command are respectful and obedient children who have a heart for Christ.
A mother also has the unique role of being the nurturer to her children. The Webster’s 1828 dictionary describes a nurturer as one who promotes growth, education and instruction. A mother nurtures her children by causing them to grow in physical and spiritual stature. She promotes their education by either schooling them herself or placing them in a good Christian school. The education of children goes beyond just book learning. The mother can find great joy and satisfaction by sharing her interests and hobbies with her children.
Lastly, a mother nurtures by providing instruction as part of daily life. The Bible says in Proverbs 1:8-9a, “My son . . . forsake not the law of thy mother: For (it) shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head….” At times, the mother may grow weary of instructing her children, but the ornament of grace it produces is God’s reward to her and the child. Sometimes instruction involves correcting the children, and the mother should be consistent in her correction.
In addition to the mother’s role as teacher and nurturer, she is also a comforter. In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is like the mother. The Holy Spirit guides and comforts the Christian as the mother guides and comforts her children. Children need the mother’s comfort. It makes a child feel loved and secure.
In conclusion, the mother’s role is a unique and special one in the family. God has given her the ability to bring a life into the world and to nurture and care for that child throughout its lifetime. A woman who loves her role as a mother will be a teacher of the Word, a nurturer of her children in many ways, and a comforter to them. If she is faithful to the noble calling of motherhood, “Her children arise up, and call her blessed . . .” (Proverbs 31:28a)
Mother, whoever you may be,
You may think long and earnestly
Of your high calling. Pondering
The undreamed honor of the thing;
Learning how God, through you, would plan
To be well known to every man.
And through your arms would gather fast
The whole world to His heart at last.
Faye Inchfawn
Yes, the calling of motherhood is a noble and high calling, and yet this role has been degraded and belittled in these times in which we live. Many women have bought into the lie of feminism that the role of a mother is not important and that motherhood is secondary to their careers. These women have not been taught how vitally important it is to be a mother, and they misunderstand the glorious opportunity they have to raise a Godly remnant. Many women today are complaining about motherhood rather than finding the joy and contentment God intended for them. “ There is no higher calling, no greater privilege than being a vessel of life and later a teacher to souls which will live forever,” implores Mrs. Beall Phillips in her book, Verses of Virtue.
From the time a mother finds out she is expecting a child she is filled with joy and anticipation. She is careful to take good care of herself and her child. She has many hopes and dreams for her child. The natural tendency for a mother is to have the baby’s best interest in mind. When the child is born, this is only the beginning of a life-long journey of commitment. This is where many women fall short. They feel pressure to get back to their jobs and allow others the privilege of raising their children. The mother’s choice will have an influence, positive or negative, all the days of her child’s life.
The responsibilities of a mother are great, but the rewards are greater. A mother is to be a teacher of her children. First and most importantly, as stated in Deuteronomy 6:6-7a, she should teach her children the Word of God, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children…” The rewards for obeying this command are respectful and obedient children who have a heart for Christ.
A mother also has the unique role of being the nurturer to her children. The Webster’s 1828 dictionary describes a nurturer as one who promotes growth, education and instruction. A mother nurtures her children by causing them to grow in physical and spiritual stature. She promotes their education by either schooling them herself or placing them in a good Christian school. The education of children goes beyond just book learning. The mother can find great joy and satisfaction by sharing her interests and hobbies with her children.
Lastly, a mother nurtures by providing instruction as part of daily life. The Bible says in Proverbs 1:8-9a, “My son . . . forsake not the law of thy mother: For (it) shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head….” At times, the mother may grow weary of instructing her children, but the ornament of grace it produces is God’s reward to her and the child. Sometimes instruction involves correcting the children, and the mother should be consistent in her correction.
In addition to the mother’s role as teacher and nurturer, she is also a comforter. In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is like the mother. The Holy Spirit guides and comforts the Christian as the mother guides and comforts her children. Children need the mother’s comfort. It makes a child feel loved and secure.
In conclusion, the mother’s role is a unique and special one in the family. God has given her the ability to bring a life into the world and to nurture and care for that child throughout its lifetime. A woman who loves her role as a mother will be a teacher of the Word, a nurturer of her children in many ways, and a comforter to them. If she is faithful to the noble calling of motherhood, “Her children arise up, and call her blessed . . .” (Proverbs 31:28a)
4 comments:
Thanks, Mama! That's a beautiful picture of Callie, and thanks for sharing her essay. Yes, it is so precious to hear my daughters tell me "I want to be just like you when I grow up -- "A MAMA!!"
Yes, we so enjoyed the children today. Chris proudly watched the DVD when we got home. He said he almost dropped everything he was doing and drove over there today! What a lovely day!
Sorry, I didn't sign my post!
Proud mother,
Molly
Lovely Essay, Callie! Makes me proud to be a mother - and an Aunt :)
Aunt Beth
you have every right to be a proud grandma. what a blessing.
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