A Mother’s Example

This week’s GirlTalk Book Club question comes from the life of Anna:

We want to hear about an “Anna” in your life.  Tell us about a time when this woman’s faithfulness to share God’s Word with you strengthened your faith in Christ.
Chapter 7- Anna: The Faithful Witness
Due: September 21, 2006

When I was in college, there was a lot of emphasis put on discipleship, both among peers, and the “Titus 2” variety (older women teaching the younger).  While I definitely saw the value in both, I never felt compelled to find an older woman to disciple me.  My reasoning behind this was certainly not based on a prideful assumption that I had “arrived” spiritually. I didn’t need to find that kind of “spiritual mother” because I already had one in my own mom.

Dr. MacArthur said of Anna that

“she had a reputation as a gifted teacher of other women and a faithful encourager of her fellow worshipers in the temple.  When she spoke, it was about the Word of God.  She had evidently spent a lifetime hiding God’s Word in her heart.  Naturally, that was the substance of what she usually had to say.” (pg. 134)

My mom’s life has exemplified for me, and my sister, the qualities of a godly woman.  And, these qualities have been highlighted in her role as a wife, mother, and now, grandmother. 

Ask anyone who knows her – my mom has a strong personality, and is not afraid to share her opinions!  But, because of that she has always been a constant example of willing submission to my father’s authority.  In our house, there was never any question about who was in charge.

She spoke often about the importance of a daily quiet time, but beyond that, she modeled it for us.  There are many times that I remember seeing her sitting in the living room with her Bible and notebook.  When I was younger, I loved looking through her Bible, and seeing the many notes she had written in the margins.

She chose to be a stay-at-home mom, and never complained about the sacrifices it required of her.  In fact, she has always emphasized the importance of that choice, and the joys and privileges that it brought to her as she raised her children.  My own conviction on the issue was very much impacted by her choices and attitudes.  She has remained a constant encourager to me as I raise my own daughter.

As I continue to watch her now, I am encouraged to see that she continues to be active in the church.  She is currently leading a women’s discipleship group, and in the process of memorizing 60-some verses!  (And, making me listen to her recite them as payback for 15 years of Awana verses!  Well, maybe it’s not quite the same…)

Whenever I share my testimony, I always include that I grew up in a Christian home.  I bring up that fact, not because it has any redemptive value before Christ, but to emphasize that what I was learning in church was reinforcing what I learned at home.  Church was not, nor should it be, the sole method of spiritual instruction in my life. 

Growing up, I knew many families who claimed to be “Christian.”  Of course, I am in no position to judge the truth of those claims, and it is not my intention to do so.  But, even as a child/teenager, I did see a difference between their homes and mine.  They knew, and gave, many “spiritual” answers that were all but ignored in practice.  My mom understood that words meant nothing if they were not backed up with actions.  She did not just share God’s Word with me verbally (though that was a big part of it).  But, my faith was strengthened because of her example. Her actions clearly illustrated the truths that she learned from God’s Word, and provided a wonderful example for me and my sister to follow.  Thanks mom!!

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV)