A Blessed Mama Part 3 by Dawn White

Title:  A Blessed Mama - Part 3

Scripture:  "Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her." - Prov. 31:28

In Parts 1 & 2, I shared some ideas that will help you reach the goal of your children rising up and calling you blessed.  Those were 1) Date Night - a special time with each child, 2) Respecting their Daddy, 3) Tarrying at bedtime (one of my favorites), and 4) talk to them, and keep talking to them.  In this final part, I want to share a bit on having fun, and the power of declaring the Word over your children.

5) Teach them how to have fun - This particular quality comes much easier for my husband than it does for me.  But, I've come to understand and appreciate the importance of teaching your children how to have fun.  The reality is - if you don't teach them how to have fun, someone else will.  It is important to us, that our daughters know how to have good Godly fun.  So, we set out to have fun with them.  The activities have changed, of course, as they have gotten older, but we still engage in fun activities.  Some of the things we have done throughout the years are picnics in the yard, pizza parties in the family room (this is nothing more than spreading a blanket on the carpet and everyone sitting on it to eat pizza - the younger ones love it), playing hide and seek after dark, playing hide and seek in the mall, doing ding dong ditch to a friend, etc.  We've even gone so far as to take our teenagers TP'ing (I know you question how Godly that is, but we did it to accepting friends and laughed hysterically).  Most recently we went out for an evening drive with the top down on our convertible.  We parked on a country dirt road.  Our teenagers sat up on the back seat and sang Christmas Carols among other songs.  

The nice thing about these activities is they are so much fun, but more importantly, relationships are strengthened in the fun and laughter.  Many times we are in tears from laughing so hard.   We cherish those memories and talk about them for years.  As mama's we have so much to do, but it is important that your children know you can have fun as well as be productive.  Children love to have fun....I know you want to be the one teaching them how to do it.

6) Declare the Word - Although this is my last tip, it is at the top of my list in terms of importance.  I try to declare the Word of God over my family every chance I get.  Again, I implemented this tip when weathering a parenting storm, but it has blessed me so tremendously that I use it in both calm and stormy conditions!  

Isaiah 55:11 says, "So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."  The promise in this scripture is that God's Word will do what it says, so I declare the Word.  In Job 22:28 it says, "You shall declare a thing and it shall be established unto you."  I believe this is good or bad, whatever you declare will be established.  If the Word of God is going to do what it promises, then I have decided that's what I'm going to declare.

I have a list of scripture that I declare several times a week as I am walking.  These include scripture for protection, spiritual growth, building character, being a Godly wife & mother, etc.   At first it may seem ritualistic, but it is the Word of God and as I'm declaring it, things begin stirring in me.  I've experienced change in my own household and family simply by standing in faith and declaring God's Word.  It is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) and it does not return void.

I've come to understand, as I'm sure that you have to, that parenting is the most challenging of roles, and yet it is also the most rewarding.  As you pour your heart and soul into your children's lives, remember to - 1) spend special time with them individually, 2) treat their daddy with respect, 3) tarry at bedtime, 4) talk to them continually, 5) teach them how to have fun, and 6) declare God's Word over them.  I believe these tips will contribute much to you being titled 'A Blessed Mama'!

You Are Special Dear Mama!