Her Children call her Blessed

I read the other day a tribute that Frederick William Farrar wrote about his mother. Farrar, born in the mid 1800's, became a great preacher and theological writer. I believe his success can be attributed, in part, to the faith of his mother.

Listen to what he said about his mother...
"My mother made it a habit every day, immediately after breakfast, to spend an hour in her room, reading the Bible, meditating over it and praying to the Lord. That hour was like a blessed fountain from which she drew the strength and sweetness that prepared her to complete all her tasks. It also enabled her to maintain a genuine, peacefulness in spite of the normal trying worries and pettiness that so often accompany life in a crowded neighborhood.
As I think of her life and all that she had to endure, I see the absolute triumph of the grace of God in the ideal Christian lady. She was such a lovely person that I never say her lose her temper or even speak one word in anger. I never heard her participate in idle gossip or make a disparaging remark about another person. In fact, I never saw in her even a hint of an emotion unbecoming to someone who had drunk from "the river of the water of life" (Revelation 2:21) and who had eaten of "the living bread that came down from heaven" (John 6:51).

Wow! I would have to say that this woman's child arose and called her blessed, wouldn't you? What an awesome testimony of the faith of this mother. Her number one priority in life was not to mingle with the ladies, or make her home "appear" perfect, but rather it was to get on her face, every day, in the presence of the Lord and bask in His glory. I want to be that woman.

Oh Father, may I daily draw strength from You so that kindness spills forth from my lips. Arm me with a spirit of peacefulness and gentleness so that I am able to respond to my family with true concern, tenderness, and love. I desire to be that woman of noble character who speaks words of wisdom and kindness; who works diligently inside her home making it a place of refuge and joy for her family; I want to be that woman who provides for her home both physical bread and spiritual bread. I desire, oh God, to be a mom whose children arise and call her blessed. Please, Lord, help me be that mom. I cannot do it on my own. I need Your strength and power. Amen.

"Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her."

Proverbs 31:28, NIV