What Do We Want?
- Rachel Province
- Jun 4, 2024
- 3 min read
“What would your kids say if you asked them, ‘What does mommy want the most for you in life right now?’”
“The Father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.” Proverbs 23:24 (NIV)
My Bible says the purpose of the book of Proverbs is “to teach people how to do what is right, just, and fair - in short, to apply divine wisdom to daily life and to provide moral instruction”. This makes sense since it was written by one of the wisest men to ever live, Solomon. God said to Solomon in 1 Kings 3, “I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.”
Ok mommas, so let’s listen up! I don’t know about you, but I can use all the Godly advice I can get to help me raise my kids in today's culture. Where better to find it than Proverbs? Let me ask you an honest and tough question…
What would your kids say if you asked them, “What does mommy want the most for you in life right now?” Would they say something like…
To get good grades and to go to college?
To get married and have kids?
To be the best at their sport or hobby?
To have a lot of experiences and travel?
Now moms, ask yourself the same question and be very honest.
What do you want most for your kids? What is the message you’re sending them on a daily basis?
Culture is selling lies that as parents we need to give them all the best experiences and vacations, they must go to college, they need to have all the best gear so they can be good at their sport/hobby, etc., etc., etc. It’s never ending and, honestly, never fulfilling. Do these things make your kids spiritually wise and righteous? No. Never.
We can listen to culture, or we can focus on advice like what Solomon says in Proverbs and have great joy and celebration because our kids fear the Lord. That they are wise and righteous because they know Jesus personally and love Him with all their heart, mind and strength.
Will kids be wise and righteous from a fun vacation every summer or because they have the latest and greatest phones, toys and clothes? Nope. So moms, let’s refocus here and remember the truths from God, not the lies from culture.
Action Steps:
Ask yourself that question. “What would my kids say if I asked them what they think I want most for them?” If you’re married, you’re working as a team. Have this conversation together as you crawl into bed tonight.
If the answer is something other than to know God personally, reflect and/or talk about ways you can move forward, as a mom or as a parenting team.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me Godly wisdom like Solomon had. I desperately want my kids to know You personally, and I know it’s my responsibility to teach them. Equip me and their father to do this, and please surround them with friends and family members who are also seeking to know You personally. Amen.
Written by Rachel, mom of 2 boys