Nurture

I had asked my mom to write a blog and she pumped one out in a day I'd thought I'd share it worth you all today! She's been doing bible studies for like...since before I was born every other Sunday. It's awesome to have her in my life, seeing how on with God she is!

Enjoy!!

NURTURE

I have been totally inspired by my oldest son in regards to spending more alone time with God.  He has decided to blog about his walk with God everyday.  I looked forward to each blog he posts.  We get so caught up with life, that we don’t take any alone time.  When he told me he was going to ask friends to share a blog with him that he would like to share on his Friday posts, I of course jumped at the chance to do this.

My alone time brought through prayer and scripture, the word “nurture” to my thoughts.  

So I thought that is what I would blog on.  The word “nurture” has many definitions:

                   to feed and protect

                   to support and encourage

                   to bring up; train; educate

These are all definitions from the dictionary. 

As a parent, especially a mother this is exactly what all my years of raising both boys involved. 

Now when I go into God’s dictionary (The Bible) the definitions are:

          Availability – morning, noon and night

(Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

          Involvement – interacting, discussing, thinking, and processing life together

                             (Ephesians 6:4)

          Teaching – the Scriptures and a biblical worldview

 (Psalm 78:5-6 and Deuteronomy 4:10)

          Training – helping a child to develop skills and discover his/her strengths

                    (Proverbs 22:6) and spiritual gifts (Romans 12:3-8)

Discipline – teaching the fear of the Lord, drawing the line consistently, loving,

   firmly (Ephesians 6:4 and Hebrews 12:5-11)

Nurture – providing an environment of constant verbal support, freedom to fail, acceptance, affection, unconditional love (Titus 2:4. 2 Timothy 1:7); Ephesians 4:29:32)

I don’t know about you but I love the definitions from God’s “Dictionary” so much better.  They express true love not just actions as the ones from the dictionary express.

I am on the verge of both my boys moving into their own apartments in the next few months.  My first reaction is sadness, then excitement for them.  I remember jumping into the real world and how exciting it was.  I can not help to think who will nurture these young men and after reading God’s definitions, I am overwhelmed in knowing that I can securely hand them over to Him.  I will always be there for them, but I know that the deep nurturing from now on will need to come from God in order for them to grow independently as young men.

Being a mother was a very important role that the Lord chose to give me.  My children were truly a gift from Him.  I thank God for blessing me with these two amazing young men, and if only briefly allowing me to be there nurturer.  Now as they are on the verge of beginning their adult life, I freely and confidently hand them over to their supreme nurturer.  I know that I modeled my life with integrity and I hope both my boys realized I tried very hard to show the essence of Godly living.

As I close I want them both to know while my role of motherhood must change and develop, the love, care, nurture and encouragement will never cease.