The average neighborhood has it's infants who just lay in their infant seats and play with their toes and cry when they need attention. (Denial, blind to what is going on around them). It has it's toddlers who spend most of their time game playing and attempting to learn the Word. They think everyone else in the neighborhood should think exactly the way they do. And if you don't give into their wishes and demands they run to mom and dad (Uncle Sam) tattling and requiring it get kissed and made better. It's the toddlers that throw temper tantrums and are determined to get their own way, sometimes suing others. The teenagers know it all. Totally unreasonable, moody, take life far too seriously, trust no one and are generally not co-operative.
We learn by example and watching other people inner act is an excellent teacher of what is right and wrong. What to do or what not to do.
When raising children you decide from day one what kind of adult you want to raise. Then watch all the examples in your neighborhood and in other families. (As well as, studying God's word). "Is this how I want my child to behave? How can I avoid it or how can I achieve that standard?" If you know a family of well-behaved children ask the parents how they are raising them?
We also learn from nature: A little acorn falls from the tall Oak tree, becomes snuggled, safely nestled, in the earth not far from it's mother at any time. The female bear protects her young from predatory males, including the father, if necessary. The female lion takes care of the feeding of the pride, not just her young, but the grown males also. Examples in nature are endless. What about examples like the black widow spider who kills the male after mating. This is a good example of a cold, ruthless woman who will grow old without anyone to care if she lives or dies. All of nature is an example be it negative or positive.
The world in which we live is fraught with "life" and teaches us, if we but had eyes to see and Behold....
Watching my babies play, alone, I often wondered if angels of God, or God himself, was talking to them. They lay there with their feet and hands in the air, laughing and gurgling as though someone was playing with them or whispering in their ears. Babies, before they are old enough to be informed otherwise, believe in God. (Just ask any small child if they believe in God?). They, of course, don't know who Jesus is but they do believe in God. Until they are old enough to understand the opinions of others, parents, family members, television, schools, or friends. At which time, they may, decide not to believe in Him.
It's too bad they aren't old enough to realize that just because the human race denies the existence of something, doesn't change the reality of it. Or that humans are always in denial of what they can't see. And by the time they are old enough they will have set their path and not realize: 
no one believed the earth was round; that germs really existed; that men would ever fly in machines; and yet all these things have become the reality. And can be seen with our own eyes, now. Jesus told Thomas: "because you've seen me you believe but blessed are they that haven't seen me yet still believe". The Hebrew for "blessed" in this verse is: extremely blest, fortunate, happy.
Our children, if taught that God and His Son can also be a reality, even though unseen, they will not only be blessed, fortunate and happy but also have minds that are open and expanding with knowledge that only God can give to us. They will have wide-open horizons and anything is possible.
Just like our forefathers who came to this continent to serve God their own way without tyranny and look what they accomplished. A society of free enterprise where anything was possible and we were not only a wealthy nation, but a generous one. We were the strongest, most respected nation in the entire world. They knew God, they had wide-open horizons.Prov.1:2-5,7.
A good mother puts her children, always, before herself in everything including her emotional and physical needs. Always considering what is best for the child. Is her child cold, warm and comfortable? Well fed? Hugged, cuddled? Dry? Content? Now she sees to her own needs.
If there's been some kind of emotional upheaval in the home, before she gives into her own emotional pain, the child must be comforted and assured. If she's so angry she could tear down a '57 Chevy in 10 minutes, she first has to explain to the child how all is right with the world and everyone in the child's life is loving and generous, now, she can tear down the '57 Chevy. If she's in despair and depression she must set it aside long enough to tell her child all is right and happy with the world.
She can be trusted to fix everything; she never falls down on the job; she's always upbeat; she always attempts to give right, and honest answers; she's always the protector; she's always understanding and forgiving; she's always there; you can count on her. You can bet if mom said so it's a fact; she never lies.
She will stand against the biggest man, the most powerful person in the child's life, to protect them and they know it. You can count on mom. You can break her favorite figurine and she gets a little red in the face but when her color comes back to normal she'll forgive. You can count on mom. If you hurt yourself accidentally she'll kiss it all better and if you're to old for kisses she just seems to know. You can count on mom. She protects the child's toys, etc., like they are her own and no on can touch it until the child gives permission. You can count on mom. She'll never embarrass her child in front of his/her friends. She can be trusted to correct her child; to set them on the right pathways; to protect the child's future; to guide the child in justice and honor; to teach the child respect of others; to protect the child from impulses that will lead to the child's harm later in life. You can count on mom.
Super mom? There is no such thing. We are children raising children but the more unselfish we are the closer to a blessed mother we become.
So many parents are bitter toward one another. They allow their children to see it and both parents loose the respect of their children. If you can't handle your adult affairs, how can you be of any help to them? And they really do think that! Children are VERY smart. And when you are fighting they think you are now on their level, children.
One example that always comes to mind is a time when my husband packed and left and I told the kids he'll be back. The fact is I would have gone and got him if he hadn't. He knew from the start that this was a lifetime proposition and our kids came before ALL else!! I always acted with confidence around my children. As a matter of fact, the more insecure I felt the more confident I behaved. It's strange looking back....When I married I was an emotionally unstable child myself but my children's emotional stability was an all consuming ambition. I cannot tell you how fulfilled and blessed my entire life with my children and grand children has been and the future is looking ever brighter.
I could not have done this without the Lord. I take no credit in the raising of my children. I have always given the Lord the glory, he did a wonderful job on my children and on me.
I'm the same with my grand children. Inspiring stability and confidence mixed with unselfish love. When they have a problem no one can solve they all call grandma. And when I drive up to their homes the children pour out of every opening of the house, yelling at the top of their lungs, "Grandma! Grandma!" I'm a movie star!
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Created: July 2000