Inward Qualities of a Christian Mother

During the last few months my husband, Mark, and I have almost gotten addicted to watching the old “Leave it to Beaver” TV shows. They are so good and always spark interesting thoughts and conversations.

Yes, they have a simple plot, but life was simpler back in the 1950s and early 1960s. Having grown up during those years I often think about how life was different compared to today. It was a slower pace, more moms were still at home during the day, there was more time to spend with family, and relationships were easier to develop. And for a TV show to include going to Sunday School and church…well, we don’t see that these days.

Wally and Beaver respected their parents and were pretty good examples of Exodus 20:12, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Ward and June were not perfect parents, but they tried to be good parents and they demonstrated their love for their children.

One of my favorite passages is Galatians 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” We may not think about this passage for a Mother’s Day emphasis, but I think it has a good application for today.

I have a bookmark in my bible titled “Ingredients for a Happy Home.” Since it has often been said that mothers are the heart of the home, these words give great guidance for us to put into practice: love, joy, kindness, patience, peace, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.

Wonder what our families, countries, and world would be like if we allowed the Spirit to live through us, putting into practice these traits of the Christian life?