“Can Christian mothers raise God fearing children”

By Florence Kalu & Obinna Nnorom

Mothers are virtuous, adoring, God fearing, kind and loving. A mother is the ladder through which her children climbs unto God. But how she raises God fearing children certainly depends on her depthness in the word of God and in living exemplary family life.

Aptly as captured, in this year’s mothering Sunday celebrated by most Christian denominations across the globe last Sunday with a clarion call on
mothers to live life worthy and acceptable for God’s  commendation, wherein He would  be proud to vouch for them like He did with Abraham.

Delivering her message as the preacher at a service held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ikotun, Lagos West Diocese, Mrs Mary Adesola Akinyemi, wife of the priest in-charge of the parish called on mothers to rise up to the occasion of raising children that will grow in the fear of God.

Some of the mothers of Holy Trinity, Ikotun, cutting the mothering Sunday anniversary cake.

Akinyemi while dwelling on the theme: “Raising Godly children” said God created marriage for procreation among other reasons, in anticipation for godly children that would be raised  for the revelation of God’s glory.

The cleric’s wife called to mind the message of God in the Holy book – Malachi chapter 2 verse 15, relayed how God made husbands and wives one flesh for the purpose of raising godly offsprings. she enjoined  parents to guide and guard their children to God through fervent prayers.

“You should be patient to study the children in your care to know God’s purpose In their lives.

“Let the offerings that come from you be like God, the true image of God made manifest, are you seeing the righteousness of God made manifest in your children?

Children group thanking God for the gift of mothers

“As parents we should be mindful of the type of words coming out of our mouths over their lives. We need  God’s grace to successfully raise godly children.

“We all know that children of today are indeed smart, as such we need God  to imbue in us the wisdom that will enable  us outsmart them. We need to tolerate them, show love, attend to their numerous questions else they resort to social media for answers that will not be acceptable to God’s rules”

She reminded women that they have a special recognition in God’s stead; as divine project in His hands.

Some of the qualities to imbibe in raising godly children as espoused by the vicar’s wife include: constant reading of the word of God, living exemplary lives, (avoid indecent dressing).

She made it clear that it’s only when mothers embrace those things that are pleasing to God, that, He would vouch for them as capable of holding unto His covenant just as He vouched for Abraham in Gen:18;19.

Lady Ngodo

In her message a christian mother Lady Chinwe Ngodo said the theme of raising Godly children was very apt at this time. She admonished mothers to be mindfull of what they do around thier children, not losing sight that they are copy cats.

She urged mothers to always pray and anchor their precepts on the Holy spirit to guide them on how best to rein in their children rightly, they should be mindful of their dressing and friends they themselves keep.

“The type of friends mothers keep contribute in influencing and moulding the attitude of their children especially the period before their school age. They should avoid profane languages on and around their children.

“As wives in homes, they should be respectful regardless of what the social and financial standing of their husbands, not to forget those good old days the man was a cherished breadwinner. If mothers disrespect their husbands, it’s certain the children will not respect him,” Ngodo said.

Earlier the Vicar of the church, the Rev Wole Akinyemi called on children to celebrate their mothers always not only on mothers’ day; husbands alike should love thier wives and children just as Christ loves His church and cares.

He admonished mothers and families to give thier lives to Christ and expect transformation, charged them to use this Lenten period to renew their covenant/relationship with God.

Drama presentation by the women

Highlights of the service include musical rendition from the children, presentation of gifts to mothers by the children, drama from the mothers and cutting of the mothering Sunday anniversary cake.