The Hand that Rocks the Cradle…

I’m sure you all are familiar with the phrase,

“The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world.”

As mothers, we are creators of culture.  We have the awesome privilege and responsibility to train up the next generation.   We are not merely cooking, cleaning or simply keeping our children clothed and alive {although some days that seems like a miraculous feat in and of itself}.  We are cultivating the very culture that will shape who they become…

By how we interact with our husbands they learn the value of marriage and how to get along with one another.  By how we interact with our children, they learn of their own value.  By how we spend our time, they learn about what really matters in life.  By how we treat others, they internalize how to do the same.  By choices we make, our children learn what to value, how to relate to others, how to relate to God, what marriage looks like and how to view the adventure of learning.

We are creating culture whether we like it or not.

And lately, I’ve found this sobering, especially as I’ve seen some of my less attractive qualities on full display in my children.   Thankfully, this isn’t cause for despair.  I am realizing what a gift it is to recognize those less desirable qualities staring back at me NOW.  God is at work in me.  He is faithful to remind me of the wonderful opportunity I have to directly influence these four lives.

Fellow mothers, we are in a 24-7 discipleship ministry.  We must not lose heart. God not only calls us to train and disciple our children, but then He also fills us with His Spirit and empowers us to do so.  So today, I draw close to the Lord.  I purpose in my heart to say ‘no’ to the flesh and ‘yes, please’ to the Spirit as I seek His guidance in how to go about this glorious task of ‘creating culture.’