Being a Titus 2 Woman - Loving Our Children

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.

Today we are talking about the 2nd virtue included in the Being a Titus 2 Woman series. This series is based off of the book Feminine Appeal, which shares 7 virtues of a Godly wife and mother from Titus 2:3-5:

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Now we have to remember that the goal of demonstrating these virtues in our lives is so "that the word of God may not be reviled." Also, we need to remember that we are sinners and we are going to fail at living out these virtues day in and day out. We need the grace of God and the Holy Spirit working in us and through us everyday!

Today we are focusing on loving our children. If you are a regularly reader of this blog, you know that I do not yet have children (We are currently in the process of adoption). So, today we will be focusing mostly on quotes from the book, not from my personal experience.

"Quit it! Quit touching me. Mom! Make her stop touching me!"

"I told you that if we didn't get here earlier, we'd spend all day in lines. But you never listen to me."

"Get over here this minute! Did you hear me? Don't make me yell at you one more time, or we'll go home now."

"No! I don't want to do that. How come we never do what I want to do?"

Marveling at the mass crankiness, C.J. looked at me and asked, "Where are all the families we saw on the cover of the brochure?"

You don't have to go to an amusement park to run across crabby people, however. You can find families like these at any mall or restaurant. To a certain extent, we can all identify with these families. (pg. 49-50)

I think that in today's culture we see this more and more. We even see it in our own lives, sometimes. That is, viewing our children more as a burden than a blessing. It is such an easy thing to do. We go through our day, we get busy, and then we don't realize how we are viewing and/or treating them.

This verse in Titus 2 commands us to love our children. When we love our children "it stands out in stark contrast to the strife and discord in families all around us and thus draws attention to the transforming effect of the gospel" (pg. 51). Because viewing our children as blessings is not the "normal thing," when we do it, we cause others to ask, "Why?" And that creates an open door to proclaim the gospel! What an amazing way to bring God glory!

Now, saying this is easy. However, doing it, is another thing. Motherhood is hard work! I don't need to be a mom to know that it is hard and it is exhausting. The real question is, "How do you find renewed joy to sacrificially serve and tenderly love your children? Our only genuine source of refreshment come from God. In Him alone do we acquire fresh strength to carry out this enormous task of mothering" (pg.53).

We cannot do this alone. We will fail and fail and fail. The only way that we can love our children is by relying on Christ to give us the strength and the courage. Now, we still won't be perfect. But, we will be striving to live our life to glorify Christ and relying on Him to give us the skills to do that!

"Though the mission is grave and vast, God's grace is greater. He kindly reminds us in His word: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9)" (pg.62). Always remember that God is with you and will give you the strength to carry out what He has called you to do!

For more resource, visit Sarah Mae who did a great post At the Well about loving our children in the "everyday."

If we asked your children how they know that you love them, what do you think they would say? Let's be inspired by each other's example and creativity.

You can view all the posts in the series by visiting the Series Index.

For more information about the book, Feminine Appeal, visit Crossway, our series Partner.

You can enter in the giveaway by leaving a comment below.

(For giveaway rules see the Introduction)