The past few days my attention has been drawn to verses that can help me in my mothering. These are verses I need to apply to my own life, model before my family and others, and teach to my children. I wanted to share with you these verses and encourage you to incorporate them into your training and disciplining. Did you notice how many times Proverbs reminds us, "Listen carefully, pay attention, keep my words, keep my commands, gain understanding, etc."? I especially love reminders to never let love and faithfulness leave us... to "bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." Oh, this is a prayer of mine! And another great cry of my heart is that the Lord's word would be hidden so deeply within my heart... but also in the hearts of my children. At the core, this is where LIFE is found... in trusting Christ as Savior, following him and living a life of obedience because we have been compelled by His great love! I have listed several verses to share, as well as a few tips that can help us remember, think more on and hopefully memorize these great nuggets of wisdom:
Proverbs 12:18
"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
Application: Teaching ourselves and our children to be gentle in how we speak to one another; to avoid raising our voices, yelling or using hurtful words.
Proverbs 12:22
"The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful."
Application: God loves when we tell the truth! This is a reminder for us to always speak the truth.
Proverbs 13:3
"He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin."
Application: Similar to Proverbs 12:18; However I love how my study Bible expanded on it:
"You have not mastered self-control if you do not control what you say. Words can cut and destroy. James recognized this truth when he said, 'The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts' (James 3:5). If you want to be self-controlled, begin with your tongue. Stop and think before you react or speak. If you can control this small but powerful member, you can control the rest of your body."
Proverbs 14:12
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."
Application: I take this verse as quite honestly reminding me that my ways are not his ways... my ways are most naturally from my flesh... Sometimes I roll my eyes instead of practicing self-control and I also take short cuts in chores sometimes because I'm being lazy. The right choice often requires self-sacrifice and even hard work. This is a good way to lead into sharing how we need to walk in the Spirit! Turn ahead to Galatians 5:16-26 and share the ways walking by the Spirit is contrary to gratifying the desires of the sinful nature.
Proverbs 14:17
"A quick tempered man does foolish things."
Application: Anger
Proverbs 15: 1
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Application: I think this one speaks for itself.... replacing anger with gentleness.
1. Look at multiple translations of a verse you are wanting to learn with your children. Better yet, read it in a Study Bible!
I usually read out of my New International Version (NIV) Bible & Study Bible, but also like looking at the English Standard Version (ESV). A great paraphrase of Scripture in modern day language is The Message Bible. I always enjoy re-reading verses in this translation. Sometimes it helps me to understand them better and in turn will help me to explain them better to my children.
2. Place the scripture you want to remember and bring into your parenting all around your house.
I started this in college. It began on small notecards displayed along the edges of my mirror in my room. When I got married, I began to hang them throughout the house. You can get as creative as color coding words in fancy handwriting and putting them on colorful paper with scrapbooking backgrounds OR you can just write it on a strip of paper with a magic marker! Hang them on your mirrors, your refrigerator, tape it to the wall, or put it on your nightstand. The possibilities are endless! I like to change them every so often, but always keep my cards so that I can always pull them back out.
3. Make a habit of reading the verses (maybe even aloud) as you see them throughout your home.
Before opening the fridge, pause and read the verse in front of you. Maybe even ask your children to repeat after you as you read it and then talk about it. I try to remember to not only talk about scripture just when I'm disciplining my children. Talk through it with them like it tells us in Deuteronomy (5:4-9) as you sit at home, walk along the road (or ride in the car), at bedtime, meal time as a family, and when you wake in the morning. Prepare them for how the verse is applicable by talking through scenarios or role playing how it looks to live it out: For example, Romans 12:10 tells us to, "honor one another above yourself (Romans 12:10)". I may have a conversation with my oldest about how she can honor her little brother above herself when he wants to play with a toy that she has. She can choose to give it to him rather than keeping it for herself. Or when they are both wanting to sing a song for me or say the mealtime prayer, she can tell her little brother to go ahead and sing or pray first. This is humility and honor.
4. Pray Scripture for your children.
For example, if your child is struggling with telling the truth, pray Proverbs 12:22 for them. It can be a prayer as simple as: "Lord, you delight in truth! I pray that my child would also delight in truth and only speak truth. Help ______ to guard her lips from speaking lies."
~I would really love to hear any other ideas you have for us as we continue to read through Proverbs. Also, please share any verses that you want to specifically use in your parenting. I would love to hear how God is speaking to you!~
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