Last week was Valentine’s Day and I made these heart shaped strawberry cakes for my husband and sons. God has given women of God such a loving and perfect design and purpose within the homes. The love of God captured my heart many years ago, and by His grace enabled me to be in the heart of this home for over 21 years, where I have been blessed to home educate and disciple our sons for Christ.
Reflecting on the faithfulness of God, in the heart of the Believer and the roles He calls us to, in obeying the call to follow Jesus, I opened this old cookbook from 1940’s. “Food for the Body and Soul”. As I flipped through pages of recipes to consider, I paused to see this quote from the 1800’s by H.W. Beecher, “The Mother’s heart is the child’s classroom”. In a world that is so far away from God’s principles, even within the “Christianity” of today, the Bible is the foundation to build our lives on, and I want to share this wonderful article that expands on Beecher’s quote from old, that we may endeavor to keep a mindset that is far from the philosophy of the world. God enabled me to teach our sons daily in a manner that modeled the days of old, where the basic academics were taught, yet there was ample opportunity to use our time for so much beyond. It was an all-encompassing shaping of the child. All I want to do is give God glory and share His amazing ways, to encourage women, mother’s that God delights using weak vessels, willing to be used, for His purposes and glory.
God gave my husband and I two unique, wonderful and fearfully made sons. At first start of this parenting journey we faced unexpected adversity and a joy of life that was given against all odds. Two gifts, our sons. This extra adversity at first start forever turned us to learning to view each day through the lens of God for how we raised our sons. I learned from God in a unique, challenging, and beautiful way, to trust and obey, and when all external efforts were not, I relied on the heart of God, to walk by faith, not by sight as the heart of the matter. God has protected me, as a mother from falling into the mindset of the world, by His grace, in keeping me in step with the uniqueness of the family unit, clinging to His every Word, and staying in His will for training them up. I am forever grateful. We press on. I just want to encourage everyone and every mother of the power of every Word of God – looking beyond this world, through the lens of our living Lord.
We are not to be conformed to the patterns of this world in education or any area of life. We will need to assess and reassess and examine the ways we are patterning our thinking and choices in life whether it is the world’s way or the Kingdom minded life in Christ.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” Romans 12:1-2
I was called by God, by a Divine appointment to home educate our sons. When we obey the call to follow Jesus and not the patterns of this world, we are in God’s will and pleasing aroma as we offer up our lives as living sacrifices to God for his service. We are ambassadors for Christ in the heart of our home and in the training of our children. He calls us to train up our children, teach them morning, noon, and night as we walk with them and with God. I have seen the glory of God in the hardest most stretching days, and His beautiful shining provision. He has shown Himself, “Immanuel God with us”. It has been an incredible gift and absolute treasure to me, both our sons, my husband, for our family to live out this call. His grace is sufficient!
This explanation from Beecher’s quote, is profound!(I added a few extra biblical notations as well) The heart of my heart. I pray you enjoy.
-The role that a mother plays in shaping her child’s character and education is significant. A mother’s love, guidance, and nurturing nature are crucial in providing children with the necessary education and life lessons. A mother’s heart becomes a metaphorical schoolroom, where children learn valuable lessons about empathy, kindness, resilience, and morality.
A profound influence on her child’s development, not only in an academic setting but in the realm of emotional intelligence as well. The education a child receives from their mother is arguably more important and fundamental than formal academics.
While schooling and academics provide knowledge in various subjects, a mother’s heart acts as a profound source of wisdom and understanding that can shape a child’s character for a lifetime!!
In our society, the priority given to academic education often overshadows the ESSENTIAL role of emotional and moral education. Society places immense importance on grades, degrees, and professional success, teaching how to solve mathematical equations, analyze scientific concepts and literature, neglecting the POWER of EMOTIONAL intelligence, empathy, and ethical values.
A mother’s love, guidance, and values will instill compassion, empathy, resilience, and integrity. All discovered in the living power of the GREATEST BOOK there will ever be, the BIBLE. The living Word of God.
In her “schoolroom,” a mother teaches lessons such as how to care for others, handle adversity, be honest, and show love and empathy. These lessons learned from the mother’s heart greatly contribute to a child’s character, influencing their ability to build meaningful relationships, navigate challenges, and make ethical decisions throughout their lives.
In a world that often prioritizes academic achievement and external success, and while the value of academic education is undeniable, it is crucial to acknowledge that the lessons learned from a mother’s heart reach far beyond what any classroom can offer.
A mother’s heart serves as a constant support system, always ready to provide guidance, warmth, and encouragement. It is a place where children feel secure in their emotional and moral growth, fostering a sense of value and belonging.
The mother’s heart truly becomes a powerful and transformative schoolroom, shaping the very essence of a child’s being.
These values acquired from the Christan mother’s heart are the foundation upon which children learn to build their lives throughout their lifetime, as she prays for them, points them to their greatest need, the Savior, that they may receive Christ and learn by His way. Her children will endeavor to serve Him in their daily lives in home, church and into the world around, for eternally rich and High purposes for the glory of God. The only sure foundation to support them and build upon all the days of their lives, is the love and truth and wisdom found in Jesus Christ-
“Build your life upon the Rock”