Quiet, Grace Filled Mom- Lesson 13

Matthew 18:6 (NIV) But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

When I first began my career as a classroom teacher, I memorized this verse. The power in those words is overwhelming to me. I had to do my job well or I would be better off dead. I didn’t want to lead any child to sin. Jeepers! That sure does make you think twice, doesn’t it? The job I held as a teacher both in private and public schools became a mission as this verse was applied to my daily activities.

When I transitioned from being a classroom teacher to becoming stay at home mom/teacher, that verse moved to the back of my mind. The sheer exhaustion of becoming a new mom put me into survival mode. Actually, I seem to have stayed in that mode for about 6.5 years. But never fear, when we hide God’s word in our hearts, it does indeed come to us in our time of need.

My time of need was not to long ago. As I was frantically showering and changing to start my day, little voices could be heard in the background. You know that if you can hear something over the noise in the shower, it is not good. My temper began to rise, but the flames were doused with a healthy dose of this verse. Those words found their way from the background of my heart to the front of my mind. Oh, was I humbled right then and there. I knew that if I came out of my room, “guns a blazin’”, that I would indeed cause my “little ones” to sin. Teaching them to respond in anger and haste would be the only result of a loud outburst on my part. So, I took a deep breath, waiting to hear that all was still well (if they are fighting, at least they are alive….), gathered up the baby, and walked out into the fray. All three had to be dealt with separately, and with consequences for their behaviors. Usually, this would set the tone for a terrible day. However, by God’s Grace, and through the wisdom He had given me, the day was just fine. We were able to reset and redeem our day…even if I was a little disheveled and my hair was a mess because I forgot to comb it out.

I challenge you to memorize this verse. Our job as mothers is the most important one we have. Teaching and leading our little ones isn’t a job we can do alone. Trusting God to guide us is the only way we can make it though this challenge.