There are at least six great needs that need to be visible in a mother's life:
1) Model Yourself After Godly Mothers — Strive to be as humble as Mary (Luke 1:26-56); as prayerful as Hannah (1 Samuel 1:1-28; 1 Samuel 2:1-15); as faithful as Sarah (Genesis 17:19; Genesis 18:11; Genesis 18:9-14; Hebrews 11:11); as kind as Ruth (Ruth 1-3); as sacrificial as Jochebed (Exodus 2:1-3; Exodus 6:20); as courageous as Rahab (Joshua 2:1-22); as instructive as Eunice and Lois (2 Timothy 1:5); as wise as the mother of Lemuel (Proverbs 31:1-9); as joyful as Elizabeth (Luke 1:36-44). Rise to the challenge of being the kind of person you would want your children to imitate, by imitating these godly and righteous women.
2) Obey The Lord Yourself — It is pointless to try to persuade your children to do what God commands, if they don't see you obeying Him in all that you do. There's much truth in the old axiom that states, "children become what they see" (Philippians 3:17; Philippians 4:9). If you want your children to grow into faithful Christians, they need to "see" firsthand, their mother faithfully following Christ. Children come equipped with a powerful hypocrisy detector, and are not easily fooled by any "do as I say and not as I do" behavior.
3) Teach Your Children God's Word — In Deuteronomy 6:4-7, Moses instructed the Israelites with God's wise counsel with regard to their children's biblical education. The world has done much to reach your children in a negative sense — you have to get to them first, and that means more often than once in a blue moon (note the word, "diligently" in vs. 7).
4) Honor Your Own Parents And Husband — If you want your children to respect you, they need to see you show the proper honor to your parents, whether living or deceased. The principle found in Ephesians 6:1-3, has a lifelong application. If you want your children to grow up to become loving husbands or wives, they need to observe your example in the conduct of your own marriage. Let them see the truth and beauty of Ephesians 5:22-33 at work in your home.
5) Encourage Your Children Often — Like flowers in the garden, children need constant care and nurturing. Let your children "hear" that they are love and valued, and let them hear it often. Praise their efforts, and help them learn from their mistakes. Show them that you regard them as "a heritage from the Lord" (Psalm 127:3).
6) Rebuke When Necessary — Don't be afraid to admonish your children for wrongdoing (Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 22:15; Proverbs 23:13). Correction must be done without breaking the child's spirit, but if the child never receives correction, he or she cannot mature (Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 22:15; Proverbs 23:13; Proverbs 29:15,17). Respect for the laws of God and society, grow out of a healthy respect for the authority of parents in the home.
The joys and blessings received by children who have experienced a godly mother and grandmother, cannot be over emphasized (cf. 2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:15). In the words of the old song, "Put them all together, they spell M-O-T-H-E-R." Next to the word, "Christian," it is the most beautiful title any woman on earth can wear.
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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