If you grew up in the evangelical, North American church, we were probably filled with the same teaching about a wife’s place in the home: second place. You were probably led to believe that you couldn’t be a spiritual leader.
Our husbands were told to make every final decision, and to be responsible for the spiritual lives of their whole family. If they DIDN’T do that, their masculinity was questioned.
Our job as wives was to be meek helpers. If we DIDN’T do that, our femininity was questioned.
Can I say something without you totally freaking out?
I don’t believe that anymore. We too are capable of being spiritual leaders.
And while that thinking was fully embraced in the past because it was culturally enforced, our Western world is changing, and roles are less defined now. If we try too hard to hold onto an old model, we create a new problem:
I think that as moms, we have too often let our families slide far away from God because we are too afraid of stepping on our husband’s toes.
We have submitted to our husbands rather than to God.
Here’s how it went in my marriage: I secretly resented my husband for not taking charge of my spiritual life, and that of my kids. So I tried to manipulate him into doing it, which drove another wedge between us.
The day I realized that our marriage is a PARTNERSHIP instead of a HIERARCHY was the day we both inhaled deeply and found freedom.
Honestly, he was already there. We were having a discussion about the theology of marriage, and I came to the realization that he had been in this partnership model for a while. Here I was, trying to shove him into a model that didn’t fit either of us. So I stopped, and we’re much happier.
Not only that, but it has freed me to be the person and spiritual leader that God created me to be: passionate about teaching kids about God in a structured (but fun!) way…INCLUDING my own.
Now I can say, “hey guys, let’s do devotions after supper” and not feel like I’m stepping on my amazing husband’s toes. He’s there, sharing his faith with his kids in everyday life, and cheering me on in my gifts. He’s using his gifts the way he has been created, and I’m using mine.
Friends, it’s enough to make a mom weep. You mean, I get to be who God called me to be?
But here’s the deal:
I’m not the only mama who is called to be a spiritual leader in her home. You are too.
Would you like to see a New Testament example of how a mom spiritually led her child?
Have you ever heard of a guy named Jesus? Or Timothy? Or how about a guy named Mark?
All were young leaders in the church (umm, and one started it). Jesus was, well, the Messiah, and we get a pretty clear idea of how strong his mother’s faith was. Timothy was a pastor, and Mark was a missionary AND the author of one of the gospels.
In Acts 12:12, we read that Mark’s mom was a house church leader! Some scholars think that
her house is the one that hosted Jesus and his disciples for the Last Supper. That’s quite a way to spiritually lead your kid!
In Timothy’s story, Grandma gets a supporting role. (shoutout to the grandma’s in the crowd! God uses you!) In 1:5 Timothy Paul tells his young friend this: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”
And later, we read “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 3:14-15)
Who taught Timothy the Holy Scriptures from infancy?
