Being a Spiritual Mother (Part 1)
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Our mothers supply our emotions. This is the executive function of one’s personality; emotions move us to do what we do. We carry out our identity through our mother’s teaching and example. Without the ability to apply what we have been taught, our identity is not very helpful. We must “be doers of the word and not hearers only” (James 1:22). Without strong caring mothers, people become emotionally flat and apathetic. Mothers are the heart of the family. How they rear children presents in their children’s attitudes.
Life is full of feelings: Anger, sadness, happiness, envy, love, hate, nostalgia, apathy, desire, laziness, zeal, trust. How we feel depends on how our mothers reared us to feel. Feelings are powerful, and they can be helpful or harmful depending on how we use them. Using them the wrong way leads to problems. Using them the right way makes for great allies in doing what is right. Mothers are not perfect; they may give us a set of emotions difficult to manage. This can be changed. It is important that mothers train their hearts to listen to the word of God and follow the example of Jesus Christ. We can overcome negative feelings by listening to and practicing the Bible’s teaching.
Our concern is the formation of the child’s heart! The heart can be both a good and a dangerous thing. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” We must train our hearts to believe and do what is right. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” When our hearts are kept with diligence, life is very good, and mothers have a lot to do with this.
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley