We were watching a British series sometime ago and the main character kept calling for her “mum.” And as I listened to the accent, I suddenly thought that the word they use to call their mothers also means “quiet or silent.” And I chuckled because for most, that is the opposite of the stereotypical mother.
Such a stereotype is true to me as a kid, and then later on as a parent. My mom has the loudest voice in our home. When I became a mom, I might not have the loudest voice, but I think I can rattle on no end during crucial times of the day when everyone must be up and about preparing for school, or cleaning up their mess, or doing their homework,but are not doing what they are supposed to be doing.
But as I try to grow in faith, I learned that being noisy and naggy is not the kind of mothering that is encouraged in the Bible. For one, the model mother of the scriptures, Mary, the mother of our Savior, Jesus Christ was described in the Bible as calm, quiet, and gentle.
For instance, after giving birth to Jesus on a very cold night, in a less than ideal place and situation, she chose to reflect on what had just happened and treasured it in her heart. If such a thing were to happen to me, and I am sure others will feel the same way too, I would have blamed my husband for not finding a good place to deliver the baby. Or, if I decide to keep mum about the situation, my head and heart will be flooded with regrets and resentments. But not Mary.
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” Luke 2:19
And she is consistent about always being calm and collected. When Jesus was about a tweener, they lost Him during their trip to Jerusalem. And when they finally found Him, she just asked Him where He had been and that they have been searching for Him.
As for me, I may just go bonkers if that happened, and I know my own mom and that of my friends’ would have been ballistic. No joke.
“When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.” Luke 2:49-51
And so as a mother, I keep on training myself to be a lot more calm and collected whenever I start getting stressed out about parenting. I remind myself that God gave me these children because it is part of His great plan for our family. That He has equipped me for this, and that as long as I seek Him and His guidance, I can raise these children well.
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court” Psalm 127:3-5
And so, I train harder everyday and encourage even my Bible Study mates to take the journey to a “gentle and quiet spirit.” This way we can be more like Mama Mary, instead of being an AK-47 whenever our houses start to resemble a warzone because of the children’s messes.
While being quiet and gentle amid frustration can be very challenging for me, and my other friends, I am inspired with what the First Letter of the Apostle Peter says. In his letter to the early Christians, he mentioned that such attributes are of great worth in the eyes of God.
“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
Being gentle and quiet does not mean though that we will withhold discipline from our children. The below passage from the Book of Hebrews shows the importance God places in disciplining.
“If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?” Hebrews 12:8-9
As for us moms training to be more gentle and quiet in parenting, what the bible is telling us is that there is a way to discipline our children without being too loud, or aggressive. We should seek Biblical guidance in raising our kids as it is the best source of parenting wisdom. We should arm ourselves with this knowledge by growing our faith.
“Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” Proverbs 13:24
We should aim to raise our children in a Christ-centered family, with us parents being genuine role models of a life lived in worship. When we, parents, live our faith, and make our children aware of God’s commands, teachings, and character, we help them grow in Christ-likeness and in Godly discipline.
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Luke 2:41-52 and 1 Peter 3:1-6 and to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are you a mom with a gentle and quiet spirit?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, please give me the grace to have a gentle and quiet spirit. To be calm amidst the chaos of raising children everyday. Grant me the humility to say sorry when I have to, and please guide me everyday my Lord as I strive to raise them in your likeness. Amen.
