The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional: 365 Devotions through the Proverbs (56 page)

July 30

A Child’s Conduct

     
Even children are known by the way they act,

          
whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote this poem:

     
There was a little girl, who had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead.

     
When she was good, she was very good indeed,

     
But when she was bad she was horrid.

So what’s a mother to do? What do we do when we’re worried about our child’s behavior? How can we raise godly children?

The number one answer is, pray! Never underestimate the power of a praying mom. Let me tell you about a wonderful ministry called Moms in Prayer (originally Moms In Touch). Fern Nichols (the founder) is a mom just like you. Let me quote from their website: “When her sons entered junior high, she had the same apprehensions. But overriding those fears was a deep trust that God, and only God, could protect and keep her children. Only God could change the lives of friends and coaches and teachers. She knew that if moms gathered together to cry out to God for the needs and concerns of children and schools, that He would not only hear those prayers, but answer them. Fern called like-minded moms who gathered each week to pray for their children and school, and thus began the first Moms In Touch group, now called Moms in Prayer. What started so simply in 1984 has grown into a worldwide community of praying moms in every state and in more than 140 countries around the world.” What a wonderful resource. You can google Moms in Prayer and get connected in a group or start one in your church or school.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

“Even children are known by the way they act.” Recently scientists have discovered many interesting facts regarding DNA. They have concluded that personality type is written in the DNA code. If your child is quiet and pensive or talkative and social, he or she was born with that bent. Each personality has strengths and weaknesses. Don’t try to make a quiet child into a social butterfly. But don’t allow her to withdraw and become disconnected from people either. As parents, we can reinforce and encourage noble character, diligence, and stewardship. Again, bottom line: be your children’s best fan and their most faithful prayer warrior.

One Year Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 26:1–28:27; Romans 13:1-14; Psalm 23:1-6; Proverbs 20:11

July 31

Look and See!

     
Ears that hear and eyes that see,

          
the L
ORD
has made them both.

When was the last time you thanked God for the ability to see and hear? Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you couldn’t? We are so immersed in man-made, artificial sights and sounds that we often neglect the amazing wonders of God’s natural world. And so, just for fun, I want to invite you to go outside and look around.

Since it is summertime, there are lot of bugs to see. Even the little ant is intriguing. Look at those skinny little legs. Did you know that an ant can lift fifty times its weight? That’s like you picking up three automobiles at one time. Sunflowers are fun to watch: the sunflower faces the sun at all times throughout the day, starting the day facing east and ending it facing west.

Have you ever gotten up just to watch the sun rise? It is a mysteriously majestic sight. Then in the cool of the night, lie on the grass to stare up at the stars like when you were a kid. Drink in the wonder and beauty.

And what sounds in God’s world are you missing? The sounds of birds early in the morning, the sound of a child’s laughter, a kitten’s sweet little purr. I love the sound of crickets on a summer night. Here’s a little cricket trivia: if you count the number of chirps in fifteen seconds and then add thirty-seven, the number you get will tell you the approximate outside temperature (Fahrenheit). Now that’s astounding!

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Even though we do have eyes and ears, we often miss another facet of life completely. We don’t notice the faces and silent tears of people just a few feet away. Should we? I believe the answer is yes. Whether it’s the homeless man on the corner or the lonely woman next door, God wants you to see them as people he loves.

Let’s Pray

First of all, I can’t ever remember saying thank you, Lord, for giving me sight and hearing. I realize now they are both a gift and responsibility. Thank you. Help me to really look around me every day to see your wondrous works.

One Year Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 29:1-36; Romans 14:1-23; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 20:12

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August 1

Lazy

     
Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;

          
stay awake, and you will have food to spare.

Laziness verses diligence is the topic of this practical proverb. This is not an encouragement to be a workaholic, but it is an encouragement to use our time wisely. Don’t sleep in but don’t fritter away your waking hours either.

I remember as a young mother always feeling frustrated. I just did not know how to manage my time or my home. Then I came across a wonderful little book called,
Sidetracked Home Executives: From Pigpen to Paradise,
by Pam Young and Peggy Jones. I loved that it was written by two women who did not naturally have it all together. They learned out of desperation, and their book helped me, too. This is really the Titus 2 principle. Paul told Titus to encourage the older women to teach the younger women “to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, [and] to be busy at home” (Titus 2:4-5,
NIV
). So many women grew up in our society without learning some very basic things about making a home. So if we share with each other what we’ve learned to make our homes better, we will build each other up, and we all need that.

Would you like to be a better, wiser steward of your time? Ask the Lord to show you resources. Emilie Barnes also has some wonderful books on this subject. And maybe there is a woman you know—an older godly woman—whom you could ask to pray for you and teach you some things that she has learned about being a good steward of her time and her home.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Moms, relishing the slower pace of summer is not being lazy. During the school year it seems you have to rush, rush, rush. Take advantage of small opportunities to savor the moment. If it’s hot outside, go to the public library to read for the afternoon. Check out books on local birds and bugs. Pack a picnic and walk to the park in the cool of the evening. Invite the neighborhood kids to a Bible story time with a craft and snack. Some night, surprise your family by announcing that the main course for dinner is ice cream and peaches.

One Year Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 30:1–31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15