3. The Home, A garden to grow
The model we see in Deuteronomy 6:4-6 is that disciple-making goes on continuously throughout the day. This is a great challenge! We, as mothers ought to diligently assist our husbands in the training up of our children.
We must dedicate our day to this aspect of our home. It is extremely important because if we neglect it, our children, church and society will suffer huge setbacks.
Our children’s hearts are like a garden. This spring we have a garden going on which we have to tend to everyday. We have to water it, check for weeds, protect it from predators and prune it when the time comes. Our children too grow and need the tender nurture that only a mother can give. We are with them most of the time. We see the “weeds” springing up. We take note, pray about it and pluck them out. Those grow naturally; it’s the sinful nature. Proverbs commands us to diligently discipline our children (Proverbs 13:24).
Having a multigenerational vision will help us see even past our children but great grandchildren. We want to grow a solid family legacy that will flourish in this world with the love of God. For this, it will take diligent vigilance. Remember that the weeds grow naturally and can choke up a beautiful plant.
When I see a mature tree that is crooked. I like to point it out to my children and tell them, “Do you see that tree over there? Why do you think it just grew like that, sideways, instead of straight up to be tall and provide shade or good fruit without breaking?” They would answer, “It was not disciplined with the rod.” “That’s right”, I would affirm and point to a small tree that is growing with rods tied to it so it can grow straight. “How do you think this tree will grow?” I ask, “Straight, they answer. “That’s is with us, God has to discipline us and help us through His Spirit to grow straight into His Likeness, not crooked looking like the world.”
Just this task of the home alone takes daily full attention to all your children’s hearts. I confess, that I am nervous at times when someone wants to take my children or want them to visit. One exposure to the world’s ways, can defile a child’s innocent mind and undermine all the work I’ve tried to cultivate for years. I take my job very seriously before God. That is why I don’t desire more a “Mom’s day off” from my children, as much
as a “Mom’s day off” from household duties, so I can free up more time to tend to the hearts of my children.
There is a big deception in many women who think that caring for your children at home is full of mundane activity. This is not true. I have even come to like washing dishes, because my precious five-year-old is
so excited to do it with me. I take this opportunity to bind her heart to mine, and disciple her to Christ likeness. It is when I see my daughter struggling, giving up, on a task, that I am right beside her encouraging her and reminding her of God's promises. Of course there are chores I detest, but as I properly align my heart to His Word, I begin to thank Him for all these dishes that need to be put away or all these laundry that needs to be done. I can’t imagine life without these children or my husband. How sad it would be if I didn’t have dishes or clothes to clean for them. And the more the merrier life is!
This careful tending of our children’s hearts can only be done by mother. Even father’s role is different. He will lead the whole family in taking dominion. He is not so in tune with the day-to-day growth of the children because he doesn’t spend as much time with them as Mom does. But his role is extremely important, so much so that family is dysfunctional without him. We have a fatherless society, a broken down society. Fathers who have abandoned their families physically or psychologically. Yes, there are parents who have switched the responsibility of the growth of their children to school teachers, youth group pastors or Sunday school teachers, who will never be wiling or able to daily pray for them, weed them, discipline then, nurture them so they can grow into men and women of noble character.
At the same time as we devote our lives to cultivate a heart of wisdom in our children, our hearts are also growing into His likeness. I can say, I am more patient and selfless, thanks to God who gave me these children to mold me in these areas. My marriage is the primary plant to focus on making sure it is not drying up. It takes more time and commitment to serve and help my husband. This is our priority from which the rest overflow. If we don’t tend to the garden of our home daily with sacrificial love, intentional parenting, and service, we will have a home that resembles the sluggards, full of thorns and weeds. Our children, to my shame or careful teaching of Proverbs, are quick to point out when they see a front yard that is dry, dirty, full of weeds, thorns and thistles. “Look, those people are like the sluggard.”
Let’s tend to our hearts, our children’s and our husbands’ with careful and faithful labor so we can grow healthy, and fruitful homes.
The Home - part 6
The model we see in Deuteronomy 6:4-6 is that disciple-making goes on continuously throughout the day. This is a great challenge! We, as mothers ought to diligently assist our husbands in the training up of our children.
We must dedicate our day to this aspect of our home. It is extremely important because if we neglect it, our children, church and society will suffer huge setbacks.
Our children’s hearts are like a garden. This spring we have a garden going on which we have to tend to everyday. We have to water it, check for weeds, protect it from predators and prune it when the time comes. Our children too grow and need the tender nurture that only a mother can give. We are with them most of the time. We see the “weeds” springing up. We take note, pray about it and pluck them out. Those grow naturally; it’s the sinful nature. Proverbs commands us to diligently discipline our children (Proverbs 13:24).Having a multigenerational vision will help us see even past our children but great grandchildren. We want to grow a solid family legacy that will flourish in this world with the love of God. For this, it will take diligent vigilance. Remember that the weeds grow naturally and can choke up a beautiful plant.
When I see a mature tree that is crooked. I like to point it out to my children and tell them, “Do you see that tree over there? Why do you think it just grew like that, sideways, instead of straight up to be tall and provide shade or good fruit without breaking?” They would answer, “It was not disciplined with the rod.” “That’s right”, I would affirm and point to a small tree that is growing with rods tied to it so it can grow straight. “How do you think this tree will grow?” I ask, “Straight, they answer. “That’s is with us, God has to discipline us and help us through His Spirit to grow straight into His Likeness, not crooked looking like the world.”
Just this task of the home alone takes daily full attention to all your children’s hearts. I confess, that I am nervous at times when someone wants to take my children or want them to visit. One exposure to the world’s ways, can defile a child’s innocent mind and undermine all the work I’ve tried to cultivate for years. I take my job very seriously before God. That is why I don’t desire more a “Mom’s day off” from my children, as much
as a “Mom’s day off” from household duties, so I can free up more time to tend to the hearts of my children.
There is a big deception in many women who think that caring for your children at home is full of mundane activity. This is not true. I have even come to like washing dishes, because my precious five-year-old is
so excited to do it with me. I take this opportunity to bind her heart to mine, and disciple her to Christ likeness. It is when I see my daughter struggling, giving up, on a task, that I am right beside her encouraging her and reminding her of God's promises. Of course there are chores I detest, but as I properly align my heart to His Word, I begin to thank Him for all these dishes that need to be put away or all these laundry that needs to be done. I can’t imagine life without these children or my husband. How sad it would be if I didn’t have dishes or clothes to clean for them. And the more the merrier life is!
This careful tending of our children’s hearts can only be done by mother. Even father’s role is different. He will lead the whole family in taking dominion. He is not so in tune with the day-to-day growth of the children because he doesn’t spend as much time with them as Mom does. But his role is extremely important, so much so that family is dysfunctional without him. We have a fatherless society, a broken down society. Fathers who have abandoned their families physically or psychologically. Yes, there are parents who have switched the responsibility of the growth of their children to school teachers, youth group pastors or Sunday school teachers, who will never be wiling or able to daily pray for them, weed them, discipline then, nurture them so they can grow into men and women of noble character.
At the same time as we devote our lives to cultivate a heart of wisdom in our children, our hearts are also growing into His likeness. I can say, I am more patient and selfless, thanks to God who gave me these children to mold me in these areas. My marriage is the primary plant to focus on making sure it is not drying up. It takes more time and commitment to serve and help my husband. This is our priority from which the rest overflow. If we don’t tend to the garden of our home daily with sacrificial love, intentional parenting, and service, we will have a home that resembles the sluggards, full of thorns and weeds. Our children, to my shame or careful teaching of Proverbs, are quick to point out when they see a front yard that is dry, dirty, full of weeds, thorns and thistles. “Look, those people are like the sluggard.”
Let’s tend to our hearts, our children’s and our husbands’ with careful and faithful labor so we can grow healthy, and fruitful homes.
What is the state of your garden? What are your favorite things to do to make it flourish?
The Home - part 6
