God’s Grace Is Sufficient – Part 1

Today’s Christian mother is challenged by outside influences like never before. Christian values that once kept our family, community, and nation cohesive are being attacked. Numerous subcultures defy the Christian way of life and push for an age of greater tolerance. This is all leading to the breakdown in family relationships – especially between mothers and their children. If a mother adheres to the biblical directive to properly “train up” her children with Christian guidelines, she often finds that they must confront outside influences and peer pressure from children who lack such Christian directions. This is a tremendous challenge, as she must simultaneously cultivate a relationship with her children, prevent them from rebelling, and teach them to embrace and honor God.

Today, our youth are bombarded by media that literally glamorize an immoral lifestyle. Because the Christian mother often works outside the home, juggling a demanding job as well as household responsibilities, her task of combating the prevailing immorality has become difficult. Most importantly, she finds that she must be both a spiritual coach and referee to her children.

I believe that, though faced with these challenges, the Christian mother, single or married, must put God’s Word into action and learn to parent with grace: “…My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV). The sufficiency of God’s grace is, for me, more than a belief; it is how I raised two sons, whose lives, in many ways, have been exemplary because of the way God has blessed us.

As Christian mothers, let’s not conform to this world. Instead, let’s be trendsetters! Here are some ways to raise your children with God’s grace:

• Lead by example.

Be a role model to your children. This generation will not adhere to the old adage: “Do as I say, not as I do.” As parents we must conduct ourselves in a manner that pleases God without alienating our children, for whom each moment is a teachable moment. Allow them to see God’s grace and power at work in our lives and see that our mistakes do not disqualify us from being parents or from receiving God’s blessings. Show them that we truly believe what we teach.

• Guard your tongue, and allow God to temper your speech so that your conversation ministers God’s grace.

Be living epistles that are read by all men, including our children. God desires that we shine as lights in the world and to our children. According to my eldest son, one reason we maintained a close mother-son relationship and that he did not turn away from God is because: “You never put me down; you always had words of encouragement and never destruction.”

God’s Word is full of so many great examples on how to raise our children. It really is the only handbook we need! Next week we will continue to learn about how God’s grace is sufficient, especially in our role as parents.