My Dear friends,

I am sure it bothers all of you, as it does me, that all too often, in today's world, people take too lightly the role and duties of women in the home. We as Christian women must stand up for the Word of God! How can we do this? The world view does not believe a woman's role, as laid out in the scriptures, is important. It is more important, in that view, for a woman to make her mark on the world, than to be a good steward of the home, and those in it, that the Lord has given her charge over. But the Word of God is true and therefore we know that when it boils down to it, how we conduct our "home lives" does matter and is so highly underrated. I Timothy 5:14 says, "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully." If we don't do what the Lord tells us to do in the scriptures, we cause "the adversary to speak reproachfully". The adversary meant here may be Satan, because I Peter 5: 8-9 says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour". Adversary could also be referring to people, because of Philippians 1:28. In this verse, it would mean those who oppose the Word of God. We do know that Satan speaks through peoples' mouths, he doesn't speak audibly himself, so maybe they are one and the same. Regardless, we can see from this verse what an awesome responsibility we women have. The same principle is repeated in Titus 2:5 where the Word of God says, women are "to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." We are the ones who cause the Word to be blasphemed or not, who give the adversary something to speak reproachfully of. We are all witnessing to our friends, neighbors, and relatives every day. People are watching our lives to see if we really are Bible believers as we claim to be. If we don't do what the scriptures tell us to do, then others can speak reproachfully of us and thus the Word of God may be blasphemed. I believe homemakers are given the job of stewards. I Cor. 4:1-2 says, "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." Just as we are all stewards of the mysteries of God, so women are stewards of the home and of our children and all that our job entails. Just remember, young women, when your days seem endless and lonely and no one seems to realize you have needs, too. You praise little ones all day but no one pats you on the back, and says "well done". Remember, too, when your job as homemaker seems to be looked down upon by others as they discuss their "fulfilling" jobs outside the home. Just remember when your children are sick, and you wipe little noses all day and you think about how you used to think that having children would be all joy and pleasure. Remember that you have one of the most important jobs on earth, even when it doesn't seem like it at the moment. Wasn't it Abraham Lincoln who said, "All that I am or ever hope to be I owe to my dear mother"? Remember you have the charge of some of the most precious possessions that God has on this earth. He has made you the overseer of them! He has given YOU the most honorable job of making them and forming them into what God wants them to be.

I think some times of what it must have been like to be the "nanny" of the future king of England. You would feel such pride that you had been chosen for this job. You had to meet great criteria to even qualify for this job, and above all of the hopeful applicants, you had been chosen! People would look up to you and you would hold your head high as you walk in public places. What an awesome responsibility you would feel you have and how you would take every minute seriously. You must not disappoint the king and queen who hired you. You know you must see that his education is the best, you must see to it that his little mind is exercised to its utmost ability. You cannot waste a single minute for there is so much to teach him and show him about the world. You know too that you must raise this future king to be a person of character! You must see to it that he becomes worthy of being the king in the future and you know your very country is at stake. You, yourself, have your country's very future in your hands!

Mothers everywhere, God has given you an even more important job, that of raising His future sons (boys and girls)! They will also be His ambassadors. Imagine doing this for our Lord and our God! You, yourself, hold the future of the Lord's work in your hands! You will be held accountable to the God of the universe for how well you do this job. Take it very seriously!

When you are feeling as if you have little worth, just remember that you are worth far more than rubies in God's sight! "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies"! (Prov. 31:10). She is priceless!

I pray for all of you young women, that you would be faithful stewards of your children and homes, and for all of us "older" women that we would be the faithful examples and teachers we should be.

Sincerely with my prayers,
Mary