TFOT 5/10/08

Topic: Motherhood

Guest: Nina Bell, Field Development Coordinator for Concerned Women for America

Motherhood - It will never be as mundane as the media makes it out to be, nor will it be as glamorous as Hollywood spices it up to be; but it will be what we, as moms, make it out to be. It could be glorious if we allow it to be what God designed it to be.

We forget, God, the Creator of all, specifically places every child with the mother he chose to be their nurturer, advocate, protector, and teacher. Yet, too often, we think someone else might be more capable to train, teach, or care for our children. And too often, we are wrong.

Our kids don't need daycare, they don't need government funded teachers, they don't need youth pastors; they need parents! While any of the above mentioned may supplement parents, moms and dads are responsible before God for their children.

Parents need not be perfect, we need only be persistent in pursuing God's direction in raising their kids. Nina Bell of Concerned Women for America walked right into our hearts has she shared stories from her home. Her past experiences allowed every listener to understand that alone we will fail, but with Christ we have hope.

In an unhappy marriage, Nina aborted her second pregnancy only to find herself pregnant a short time later. Through prayer, surrender, and study, God strengthened her marriage over time. Nina reminded listeners that Salvation didn't make problems disappear, but it did give her a new love for her family and a way to handle trials and heartbreaks. Nina's story reminded us that God is the God of total restoration, and because of that, condemnation has no place when we have repented and given our pasts to God. Nina and her husband grew closer together as they grew closer in the Lord. They raised three sons and Nina enjoyed the honor of being at home while raising them.

Today, Mothers should be on the 'Endangered Species' list as too many are disappearing out of the home and outsourcing the care and raising of their children to strangers. Our homes are larger and nicer than years' past, yet the family is torn and tattered. Our kids are taking more prescriptions than ever before, but they are not necessarily healthier. Both parents are working to earn money, but many families are worse off financially than families were decades ago when Mother's stayed home and cherished the wealth of their children. If a mother wishes to work - fine, but government shouldn't force mothers out of the home financially.

When the family is healthy, society benefits. When the family is hurting, society pays the price. We see this today in our crime rates, prescription and non-prescription drug use, unwed pregnancies, alcohol abuse, incarceration rates, etc. Perhaps government would fare better to find some federal funding for mothers like we do other 'endangered species'. At the very least, we should discontinue fiscal policies that promote the outsourcing of raising our children like daycare credits or free child care which costs all mothers more money in the long run. Surely, the heart of a mother is better than the hand of a stranger in nurturing our children and worthy of equal funding.

Additional source mentioned was Mary Eberstadt's book Home Alone America and the Hidden Toll of Day Care
Purchase Home Alone America.

Children are the only earthly treasures we can take to Heaven with us; but we can't 'take' them, we must 'train' them to get to Heaven on their own through salvation. According to Worldview Weekend, 88% percent of children raised in Christian homes will walk away from their faith by college graduation.

Moms - you're uniquely qualified for a job that God gave you and no one else - raising your children.

Psalm 127:3,4
Tamara