A Challenge to You, Mother, for Your Children, (With Application for All of Us)

Challenge to Mother: You are not the only one who influences your children. You are not the only one who can make a difference in their lives. But if you are a Christ follower, with His help, you can influence your children–and others–in a way that “sticks.” In little ways and big ways, known maybe only to God, your loving investments do make a difference.

A Challenge to You, Mother

by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

If you can love your children when they reject your faith;

If you can keep your hope when all others turn away;

If you can praise your God in the midst of adversity;

If you can believe the best, when others cannot see;

If you can trust the Lord to keep them safe from harm;

If you refuse the fearful thoughts that only bring alarm;

If you can cling to Him, no matter what may come…

You’ll find your job of mothering is a faithful job well done.

Challenge to Mother

I wrote this poem several years ago (with apologies to Rudyard Kipling). There’s nothing simple about being a mother and no formula to guarantee success in the challenge of raising children. But God’s Word is filled with principles to encourage you as a mother–or anyone–to love, hope praise, believe, trust, and to cling to the Lord in spite of all that you see around you. Your faith, your prayers, your love, your persistence in changing and fearful times will pay off. God is faithful, and He never changes.

Never Give Up

Regardless of the direction your children choose, God never gives up on them. I venture to say, neither will you as a mother. Someday, faithful mom, you will hear the Lord’s “Well done” for your job of mothering. God is not finished with your child–or you–or anyone of us, yet. It’s His job to shape–and change–a life. He simply asks that we be faithful to Him.