Motherhood: A Rigorous Training Ground by Rebecca Laird

Read Matthew 14:8

What an awesome responsibility mothers have to their children. Cultural stereotypes promote the idea that giving birth miraculously endows a woman with kindness, compassion, and goodness. But we all know better. Many of us can witness that we are made more aware of our weaknesses and impatience after becoming mothers than we were before. Godliness and genorosity are not prerequisites of giving birth; they are characteristics that God hones and whittles into our characters over time. Motherhood provides a rigorous training ground where we can daily practice and model the disciplines of love, honesty, and compassion before our children.

Dear God, help me to teach my child what it means to be a Christian by my daily example. Amen.

 

Letting Your Light Shine by Leanne Ciampa Hadley

Read Matthew 5:14-16

My children will not go to bed unless their night-light is on. It doesn't put out much light, but in my children's eyes, that night-light makes a very dark, frightening room a cozy, safe place to sleep. That night-light has changed the way I see my role as a Christian. I used to hear Christ's words about "letting my light shine" and feel really overwhelmed, thinking I would have to be a really outstanding Christian to even be seen in this dark world of ours. But now I realize that although I may not be the best Christian in the world, my light may be all someone needs to feel safe and cozy in this scary, dark world. So I'll keep on shining!

God, let your light shine through me, bringing comfort and hope to others.

 

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excerpt from the Mother's Bible ©Common English Bible