The Shaping of a Christian Family // Part One

I recently finished Elisabeth Elliot's, The Shaping of a Christian Family.  Whenever I finish a book, I can't help but share what I learned from it.  For some reason, I just can't keep it in!  You can read a quick bio about Elisabeth here.  (Your might remember her story from the movie, End of the Spear.)

"A mother is a chalice, the vessel without no human being has ever been born.  She is created to be a life-bearer, cooperating with her husband and with God in the making of a child.  What a solemn  responsibility.  What an unspeakable privilege--a vessel divinely prepared for the Master's use."

I had breakthrough moment when I read this because sometimes I feel like it is so unfair that women have to give up so much to be mothers.  God revealed to me that this was part of His design for us from the beginning.  I need to accept it, celebrate it, and be open to experiencing the beauty in being a mother.

"When parents receive a child from the hand of God, they receive a life to be shaped and molded--most of that shaping and molding taking place, psychologists say, during the first seven years (and some say by far the most impressionable years are the first three)...The One who fashioned the child and gave him to these two people is ready to give the wisdom they know they lack, if only they ask."

Ummm...that's a little daunting, isn't it?!  I love the second part where she acknowledges that parents know they lack wisdom.  Instead of panicking about how I have no clue what I am doing, I started the habit of asking God for wisdom in each situation.  This has been life altering.  I have read a lot of parenting books, but nothing can compare with God's wisdom.

Hope these words might be encouraging, and a good reminder for me in the future!