She Teaches Her Children

By Aneta Dodd

(Writer Of The Week)

The virtuous woman guards her family against selfishness. She extends her hand to the poor (depressed in mind or circumstances) and she reaches out her hands to the needy (destitute). As keepers of our home we should teach our children to be benevolent and thoughtful towards others.

We should take time to serve at a soup kitchen, collect goods for missions, visit the elderly, or actually participate in missions work. For the past four summers we have participated with my parent’s congregation to deliver water to the homeless in Nashville. It gives our children an opportunity to do kindness towards others and to see how blessed they are with carnal stuff! Both of my children have also had the opportunity to serve at a soup kitchen. They helped serve the meals, wash dishes, and ate with the homeless. They still talk about this experience and want us to return. Children love to feel needed. We need to give them those opportunities now!

The virtuous woman opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness (Proverbs 31:26). As keepers of our home we must guard against ignorance. What a shame when our children are ignorant to God’s word. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction ( Proverbs 1:7).

God commanded the children of Israel to “teach them (laws) diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:7-9).

It is our duty to train our children in the ways of the Lord. A fine example of this is Timothy. He was trained by his mother and grandmother and became a wonderful leader in the Lord’s church!