EARLY SHOUT OUTS!

“She is a woman of strength and dignity and has no fear of old age. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says. She watches carefully all that goes on throughout her household and is never lazy. Her children stand and bless her; so does her husband. He praises her with these words: ‘There are many fine women in the world, but you are the best of them all!’ Charm can be deceptive, and beauty doesn’t last, but a woman who fears and reverences God shall be greatly praised. Praise her for the many fine things she does. These good deeds of hers shall bring her honor and recognition from people of importance.” (Proverbs 31:25-31 The Living Bible)

Mother’s Day is not until May, but it is never too early for an early shout out! My second oldest son attributes his being a good father to how I raised my children. My response was, “I could have done better.” He disagreed and started giving specific examples that obviously had a lasting, positive impression on him. I was honored, for sure. Yet, in my mind, I thought of their mother. She is like most Christian mother. And besides that, I thought of this truth, “Can’t nobody do you like Jesus.”  I think it can be rightfully said, right after repeating that phrase about Jesus, “Can’t nobody do you like Momma.”  That’s especially true for Christian mothers.

So, while I want to give an early shout out to all the mothers, mother figures, and grandmothers who read this, I also want to give an early shout out to fathers too. Now, granted, you will see that the shout out for fathers is a little different than the shout out in the scriptures above for mothers, those descriptive words that are most appropriate for godly mothers. The shout out for fathers is one of admonition, and it includes words that will warrant providing them with admiration similar to that which the mothers earned. Here it is my brothers: Avoid waiting too late to assess how you are being an excellent father, father figure, or even a grandfather! Many men must recognize what they need to do better, starting today.  I heard someone say, probably one of the women reading this message, using my super-like, spiritual oriented hearing, “I know that’s right!” 

I love you all, but there is not anyone who can say they have reached perfection in any role that the Lord Almighty has blessed them to play in the lives of others. So, as you have heard me say before, “Aim for perfection, and achieve excellence!” Jesus said it this way in Matthew 5:48, “Be ye perfect as My Father is perfect.” Have a super Saturday and a satisfying Sunday in the assembly of the saints. That goes for male and female authority figures in our homes.  Be blessed!

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4 The Amplified Bible)

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King