What Encourages Me?

As the mother of a dozen children ranging in age from just-turned-ten to nearly-thirty-four (and that one's still my baby!), I can get discouraged with the chaos that a large family brings. The married ones traipse home with their broods, and while I am ever-greatful for each one of them, I get to whining and complaining. "Look, the house is a mess [again!]; Sigh, I need to cook supper for about a million people [again]!"

But when a little granddaughter climbs into my lap and says in her sweet baby-voice, "I love you, Granny!", my heart melts. When a big, strapping boy (one of my sons or grandsons) offers to carry those groceries or get me a footstool, my heart is warmed.

What encourages me and helps me to keep on in spite of the noise and confusion a large family brings is the fact that these lives matter, for eternity. I am the mom. I am the granny. The one who will make a difference in the lives of each of these people.

When they see me with my Bible in hand, they know that it is precious to me. When they hear me exhort them to do well, or remind them that God is watching, they know that I know that He is real, and He is the One Who will hold us accountable. I have the privilege of teaching them that God is Just AND Good, that He is Righteous AND Merciful.

I look at my grown children, and I am encouraged to know that they are walking in truth... that they are following after God. There is no greater joy. There is no greater encouragement.

3 John 1:4

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.