Keep updated! Join the Jesus Cafe mailing list. Your Email Address : subscribe unsubscribe		The Law of Kindness: A Standard for Christian Mothers By WMomTCC, April 2000 Web Sites of Interest Focus on the Family's Parent Place Hearts at Home Just Moms.com Are You Kind to Your Family? I know that may seem like a silly question to some of you. But, seriously, take a look at how you treat your kids, your spouse, your friends. Are you more kind to your friends than your family? I read with interest the other day some of the attributes of a famous mother… the one we all measure ourselves against as Christian women… the woman of great value so beautifully described by King Lemuel in Proverbs 31. A phrase stood out in my mind, " She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness." (Verse 26) I felt a twinge in my soul upon reading that verse, and thought to myself, "Is the law of kindness on my tongue? Am I kind to my kids and husband?" Ouch. What is the Basis of Kindness? What is the basis of kindness? Love, of course. Granted, we are not always kind to our loved ones, our intent is certainly to show them our love by how we treat them, right? How can we know if we are showing love toward our family members, specifically our husband and children? Take this little self-test derived from the famous Love Chapter of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13. This isn't a literal translation by any means, but I believe it could be helpful in determining where we as mothers need a little help in terms of showing love toward our family. Can You Say These Things About Yourself? ___ I am patient with my children (I like to define patience as "waiting without being sad"). ___ I am kind to my children and husband. ___ My family doesn't view me as being envious, boastful, or prideful. ___ I am not rude to my husband. ___ I don't seek my needs first, but their needs. ___ I am not easily angered by my children or husband. ___ I don't keep a record of my husband's wrongs. How did you score? Print out this page, cut out this little quiz, and place it in your Bible as a reminder of those areas in which you may need to allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life. Kindness Toward Enemies and Brothers God Himself is kind to the unthankful and evil. Jesus said, "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Highest. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil." Luke 6:35 How much more so should we mothers be kind to our own family? Is "the law of kindness" on your tongue? It must first be in your heart, for "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks". (Mt. 12:34) How Does A Person Become Kind? Ask the Lord to soften your heart toward your husband and children, including your attitudes, tone of voice, and expectations. Remember what Colossians 3:12 says, lightly paraphrased: Therefore, as God's chosen people (mommy), holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. I am confident that if you ask the Lord to change you, then allow Him to do so, your children will rise up and call you blessed, as will your husband, and even more importantly, God. May the law of kindness be on your tongue! Related Bible verses for further study: Proverbs 15:1 Psalm 127:3 Proverbs 19:13, 14 Romans 12:10 Titus 2:3-5 1 Thessalonians 3:12 Ephesians 4:32
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