Raising Daughters

Dear Moms,

We all know how special children are to us. God's Word states in Proverbs, "CHILDREN ARE A BLESSING FROM THE LORD.” Those of you who have children know just what God meant. I hope that God is continually growing a “MOTHER’S HEART” within you. We need that daily dose of our Father God’s love to see us through, and then we, in turn, can give that Blessing on to our children, that blessing of sacrificial, agape love. Now, as special as sons are, there is something different that God has called us to do to form our daughters. Yes, God has called you, mom, to form your daughters into women. That is huge and impossible without God’s guidance. Attention, mom, the world, the flesh and the devil, are trying to “eat our lunch.” If we don’t form these women into godliness, who will? How do we do that? This week's topic is going to address just that. So, tell a friend and don’t forget to read my blog this week!

The first way we form our daughters into godly women is to be a godly woman. We must give our hearts and our lives to Christ Jesus our Lord and learn then to know Him. As you know Him, Mom, you will begin to love Him, because He is love. God is Love, I repeat. Then, as He fills you with His love, you will be able to pour out His love on all you meet, especially on your husband and your children. Then, you will desire to serve Him. It all starts with your yes at the Cross. Then, find a church home and begin not only to read the bible, but to obey God’s Word. I am a Roman Catholic. I met Jesus when I received my First Holy Communion at age seven at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church on the first Saturday in May in the year 1960. God spoke to me in the stillness of my heart and my life was changed forever. Since this is a Moms' blog, I don’t want to take up any more time, but e-mail me with any questions or comments on this topic.

Mom, be a good example! I’m convinced that everyone needs a mentor. The most natural mentor, mom, is your mom. If your mom is not a believer, what do you do? How can you be a good example if you weren’t given a good example? This is the reason that God has raised up Older Women, as in the book of Titus, to teach and train the younger women. See how important church is for us all. Please note that Moms who are not believers can teach us a lot as well. Always, “HONOR YOUR MOTHER.” It is a spiritual principal. It also comes with a blessing. That is, “YOU WILL HAVE A LONG, GOOD LIFE.” I learned a long, long time ago, YOU CAN LEARN SOMETHING FROM EVERYONE AND EVERYONE CAN LEARN SOMETHING FROM YOU. Learn well and then you, in turn, can mentor your daughters.

Then, we must spend time with them. As your friends are so will you be like them. God gave you these daughters to raise then, as my husband says, "We are raising these children to be our BEST FRIENDS.” We believe that is God’s best--to be friends with our adult children, yes, best of friends. In our home, we have “Girls' Night Out.” We try for monthly, and it is impromptu. When children come from out of town, we always try to get together. We eat out, go to a movie, catch the ballet, or just sit around and talk. No BOYS OR CHILDREN ALLOWED. One year, the girls went to New York together. I missed the trip because grandpa was dying. There are lots of ways to work quality time into your relationships with your daughters, but the important thing is to start when they are very, very young. If they were never a priority growing up, you will not have that BEST FRIEND relationship you so need and desire with your adult children.

So mom, aim to be a godly woman, find a mentor, and spend time together forming those daughters to be women of God.

I know you all have questions and comments on this one. Just ASK ELLEN.

Ellen Mongan