I am going to focus on four specific character areas where our daughters can be sowing seeds now, in their youth, in order to prepare for their roles as wife and mother in the future.  Although there were many to choose from, I am going to address diligence in learning, self-denial, submission, and a love for the home.  We’ll look at the first two today.  

 

In the area of diligence in learning, I love this short little quote from John Angell James:  

“How can an ignorant woman be a companion for a sensible man?” (pg. 98, Female Piety: A Young Woman’s Guide, by John Angell James).  

 

That really sparks a fire in me!  Just like Adam needed Eve, my husband needs a helper

suitable for him.  He needs a wife with strengths and gifts to complement his own, and that includes wisdom and intelligence.  

 

Encourage your daughters to humbly learn from others, in spiritual matters, school, homemaking…  Proverbs 19:20 tells us that we have much wisdom to learn from others: “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”   Make sure they know that school is important, that it is a blessing and that God wants their best efforts.  Also, be a model of life-long learning.  

 

Self-denial is another seed we can help our daughters to sow early.  The Lord knows I am learning this one right alongside my daughters!  We can all be selfish, but God has called us to prefer others, to put them ahead of ourselves – like our Savior did for us:  

Philippians 2:3,4  “…in humility count others more significant that yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  

 

This is an area where your daughters will face lots of “labs.” As a way to honor you, they must be taught to prefer their parents (“Before I go read my book, is there anything you need me to do?”).  They can also deny themselves with their siblings (“What music do you want to listen to?”) and their friends (“You may choose the game.”).

 

May our daughters learn to deny what they want for the joy of others – and may they see us model the same!  What a picture of Christ!