Proverbs 31:13-16, Day 9

Out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. Proverbs 31:16

I'm not a wine drinker, but my friends have told me that different flavors come from different wine making regions. California grapes taste different than French or North Carolina grapes. Not only that, certain grapes grow better in different climates. Taking a California grape to France would just confuse the grape, leading to a muddled wine. Well-tended vineyards that receive the perfect balance of rain, sun, warm and cool create award winning wines. 


Our children are much like those grapes. Each one needs tending: spiritual training, encouragement, discipline and love in the right amounts. No problem. Right?


HA! I'm the first to say I am not perfect. My kids regularly get less than the best, not that I want to do that. It's just that I'm not perfect. (Yes, I said it twice... I'm that imperfect perhaps.) How is an imperfect mama ever to help her kids become the best they can be?

The first thing that came to mind was John 15:5  which says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." WOO HOO!!!! Jesus is the answer, not me! YAY!!! I may be responsible for raising my kids, but I do not do it alone. God has a specific purpose for each branch to bear its own fruit (Jeremiah 29:11)


My job? Simply to trust in Jesus and raise my kids the best way I can. But, I don't have to rely on my own experiences or wisdom. God provided all the instruction we need in His Word, the Bible. Throughout scripture, God gives us direction in parenting. When we study the Bible, we can produce kids who are more amazing than the greatest wine ever bottled!


Back to scripture... and kids... The modern Proverbs 31 woman invests her wisdom, gained from time she spends with God, to help her children become who God wants them to be. God first. Family second. Creativity and beauty abound. Beautiful!


To go deeper, meditate on these verses:

• Ephesians 6:4, "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
• Psalm 127:3, "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him."
• Romans 5:5, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Consider these questions:

Do you consider yourself to be raising kids or adults? (Way to start with a tough one!)

How often do you pray for your kids? 

Do you pray more for them or more to become the parent they need?

Pray: 

Pray with your husband if you can! 

Thank God for the incredible gift your children are, even if you don't get along right now!

Thank Him for trusting you to raise your children.

Ask Him for the wisdom to raise your kids to become who God created them to be.

Please let me know how I can pray for you. If you aren't comfortable sharing your prayer request in the comments below, email me. My contact information is included on my "Contact" page. Please visit the other bloggers in this series for more encouragement.

13 Bloggers, 13 topics, One Great God.

• Using Skills to Contribute to Family/2 better than 1 

• The Fear of the Lord/ Satisfied by Love

• Using time wisely/Blessed Beyond Measure

• Taking care of needy/ Shadow Wonder

• Using money wisely/Jennifer Sikora 

• Keeping an eye on home/Just a Glimpse

• She can laugh at the days ahead/ Faith Filled Food for Moms

• Clothed in strength and dignity/One thing I’ve Learned

• Taking care of others/ 2 savvy gals

• Being Creative/A Patchwork Mommy

• Bringing Variety to Family/ Karen Dawkins

• Extending your Hand to the Poor/ Women’s Fellowship House

• Organization/Teaching what is Good

Love,