The Importance of a Christian Home -- Bulletin Article 05.13.07

Happy Mother’s Day! We are truly thankful for all of the work mothers do. Although we are appreciative year-round, this day allows us to recognize their sacrifices and accomplishments.

Earlier this month, Salary.com released the average figure for what a typical stay-at-home mom should have earned: $138,095. Notice the excerpt from the FoxNews.com article:

“The 10 jobs listed as comprising a mother's work were housekeeper, cook, day care center, teacher, laundry machine operator, van driver, facilities manager, janitor, computer operator, chief executive officer and psychologist, it said. The typical mother puts in a 92-hour work week, it said, working 40 hours at base pay and 52 hours overtime. A mother who holds full-time job outside the home would earn an additional $85,939 for the work she does at home, Salary.com reported.”

This further proves the Lord knew what He was doing when he placed our capable mothers as the “keepers of the home” (Titus 2:10). May we always be thankful for their tireless efforts.

In another story from the newswire, a Mississippi State University professor released a study about the impact of “religious parents.” The article, dated April 24, releases the professor’s findings that children who are raised in homes where both parents (1) regularly attend worship services and (2) openly discuss religion within the home have more self-control, better social skills, and improved learning attitudes than children with “non-religious” families. Again, this proves consistent with scripture since our homes are responsible for the spiritual training and instruction of our young people (Eph. 6:4).

That same story contains an interesting two sentences: “But when parents argued frequently about religion, the children were more likely to have problems. ‘Religion can hurt if faith is a source of conflict or tension in the family,’ Bartkowski noted.”

Catch that? If mom and dad are on the same page spiritually, their children are typically better behaved and more successful. If mom and dad disagree about spiritual matters, the impact upon children is negative.

This part of the study should cause us all to think seriously about the spiritual example and instruction we provide in our homes. The most obvious source of spiritual disagreement is probably between parents with different religious backgrounds. If the wife is a Christian, but the husband isn’t, there will certainly be times of tension. Think about it in another way. What if both husband and wife are Christians, but their commitment to Christ is completely different? That very easily could be a source of religious conflict. Parents, we all realize we are accountable for our own choices. We often forget that our children are affected by our every choice also.

Both Amanda and myself are thankful to have been raised in homes that were in complete harmony and devotion to leading faithful Christian lives. We will be eternally grateful. Lord willing, one day so will our children.

In closing, notice how many times the “virtuous woman” in Proverbs 31:10-31 is described as a faithful and capable mother (at least 5):

An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.

Thanks again to all of our wonderful mothers! Happy Mother’s Day!