My girls and I attended our first of
four Bible studies for moms & teenage daughters. Our pastor's
wife is leading it and I'd like to share a few thoughts we
discussed.
That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth;
That our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style
Psalm 144:12 NKJV
The King James translates it as such:
That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth;
that our daughters may be as corner stones,
polished after the similitude of a palace:
Wow!
Our daughters are to be cornerstones, the foundational stone of the
building. Think about that...cornerstones are suppose to bear the
weight of the building so our daughters should be growing up to bear a
great weight. Not only is she to bear much weight, she is a
cornerstone in a palace where kings & queens reside. She is
polished for much glory. What a beautiful picture for us to
consider as we raise our daughters. Sometimes I think moms
consider this picture, but don't talk to their daughters about where
they should be headed - the goal of glory for a future husband, the
ability to bear much through both good & bad times, and a desire to
be part of a beautiful home, a palace of our own.
As you think about raising a "polished cornerstone", consider the following character qualities.
- Noble
- In I Timothy 5 we read that widows who are worthy of support are to
be of a very high reputation and character. In verse 10 we see
that she is to be "well reported of
good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged
strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the
afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work."
In other words she is a very active woman before her husband
dies. Good works are character of her life throughout.
Think about this one for a moment - she has raised children and been
quite the hostesss. Showing hospitality is second nature to
her. These days we undervalue the power of gracious hospitality
to others. She ministers to those around her in a way that is
truly helpful to others. As she lived her life she pursued good works. What a high calling for our daughters (& ourselves).
- Gracious - A gracious woman retains honor (Proverbs
11:6). Our daughters should be gracious to those around
them. Kindness should be evident both in the way a mom treats her
daughter and the way a daughter treats her mom. In addition to be
kind, a gracious woman has an elegance about her. Elegance is
evident in the way she takes care of her home so we should be training
our daughters in the ways of having an elegant home and the ability to
care for it well. Now, this does not mean you have to spend lots
of money to have an elegant home; elegance comes from the inside and we
should teach our daughters how to be elegant. Sometimes I think
we can spend time teaching our daughters domestic skills, but not in an
elegant way. When the woman of a home is gracious, kind and
elegant, she makes those who enter her home comfortable while they are
there. Are you teaching your daughters how to make others feel
comfortable as you teach her those domestic skills?
- Refinement
- Modesty should be an authority in our lives and our daughters'
lives. We should embrace feminity, even though the world does not
truly embrace the idea of being feminine. Biblical feminity is at
war with the world. Our daughters should be polished in manners, know
what is appropriate in situations and have a stately air about them
(not a snobby air). In other words, we should teach our daughters
that it is not good to be an airhead, ditzy or Barbie-like. Those
are qualities the world embraces, but not qualities the Christian
should embrace.
- Rejects Idleness - Our daughters should be serious about their lives and not a busy body in other people's lives.
- Good Spiritual Discipline
- Are you and your daughter in the Word on a daily basis? It is
only through God's Word that we will grow to Christian maturity and
transform the world around us.
Moms, encourage your
daughters as you train them. Don't overload them emotionally,
emotionally or domestically. You know, they need to raise a
family - but not yours.
Daughters, receive teaching humbly
from your mom. Watch your moms and embrace your parents'
standards. If you don't understand your parents' standards, then
ask them.
Much of this entry came from Nancy Wilson at her Bible study for moms & teen daughters. Books by Nancy include Fruit of Her Hands, Praise Her in the Gates, and Our Mother Tongue
Kerry
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