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THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER VOLUME 3, NUMBER 7, (PART 7)
We have talked about the role of the woman in the godly family in
previous articles. We have discussed
her relationship to her husband and the meaning of subjection as well as the
primary area of responsibility that God has placed upon her shoulders.
Is there anyone or anything more highly praised in God’s Word than is
the godly woman of the home?
In 1 Timothy 2:15, we read, “Notwithstanding she shall be saved in
childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity, and holiness with
sobriety.” Oh, how the role of
the woman expands when the children begin to arrive.
Moving over in 1 Timothy to chapter 5, we find in verse 14, “I will
therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give
none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.”
It has been said that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
While that is not exactly true, who can over estimate the importance of
the position of the mother?
Speaking purely from physical standpoint alone, I use to make my living
loading and unloading cartons of paper from trucks.
These cartons ranged in weight from approximately 35 pounds to over 50
pounds. I can say without hesitation
that I would rather do that for 10 hours a day than to try to keep up with a
little baby all by myself for one whole day.
What a job! A child needs
personal attention and care just for their physical needs throughout the day and
as the “keeper of the home”, this falls primarily upon the woman.
But even beyond the physical necessities that a mother must attend to for
her children is the emotional and spiritual training that she must give them.
In terms of time she is with them much more than the father, and the
influence she can have on her children is tremendous.
Consider 2 Timothy 1:5, where we find, “When I call to remembrance
the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois,
and thy mother Eunice, and I am persuaded that in thee also.”
Two godly women in the life of Timothy had a great influence on his
spirituality, his grandmother and his mother.
In the long hours that a mother and her children spend together there are
so many opportunities to talk about Jesus and all the other people of the Bible.
There are so many opportunities to teach the difference between right and
wrong. What a great lesson we can
learn from Deuteronomy 6:4 – 7, “Hear, O
I am afraid that with today’s society and economy, many children are
growing up without mothers in the real sense of the word – or in the sense
that God intended. So many mothers
go back to work immediately after the baby is born, so right from the beginning
the child misses the influence of a loving mother.
Even when they return home from work in the evening, oftentimes they are
too tired to give the child the individual, undivided attention that they need
and deserve. Too many children are
being raised by baby-sitters and not their mothers and a mother will never get
the opportunity to have such a profound effect upon her children again.
Young mothers need to be taught that if there is any way possible the
most important thing that they can do, and the duty that God has given them, is
to stay at home and rise the children. If
work outside of the home is absolutely necessary for the family to have the
basics of life, so be it. However,
the most important job for the woman in the God-ordained family relationship is
in the home.
So, the woman in the God-fearing home is to be honored by the faithful
fulfillment of her responsibilities. Her’s
is not a second-class position and those who say that it is are just ignorant of
God’s Word. What the world needs
is more women who will fill the position that is divinely appointed unto them
and that is uniquely theirs.
Next week, When Problems Arise…
ONE NEAT DAD
Have you ever noticed in the television family “The Waltons”, that
the father is almost always available; or in “Little House on the Prairie”,
pa’s always there to give “Half-pint” a squeeze?
Things have sure changed from the 1930’s and the earlier House on the
Prairie days. Years ago, a Dr.
Charlie Sheed held a contest called “One Neat Dad”.
He asked contestants to send in letters recommending their dad for this
great honor. Here is a list of the
ten most appreciated qualities for “One Neat Dad.”
(1) He takes time for me. (2)
He listens to me. (3)
He plays with me. (4)
He invites me to go places with him.
(5) He lets me help him.
(6) He treats my mom well.
(7) He lets me say what I
think. (8)
He is nice to my friends. (9)
He only punishes me when I deserve it.
(10) He is not afraid to
admit when he is wrong.
Notice, qualities 1 – 5 are all versions of the word “time”.
That is the single most appreciated trait of the “One Neat Dad.”
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