How symbolic that track season coincides with Mother’s Day month. Why? Because the ministry of moms is like the passing of the baton from one runner to the next in an epic relay race! Winning or losing the next generation can be determined by what happens in our parenting “exchange zones.” 2 Timothy 2:2 sums up our mom’s mission like this: “You…have heard what I have taught. You should teach the same thing to people you can trust. Then they will be able to teach it to others.” Do you see the relay? The Heart of Womanhood intergenerational Bible Studies and our monthly ministry blogs are designed to equip and empower moms and daughters (like you) to make the most of your “exchange zones.” This month’s blog features batons of wisdom passed on to us from a dynamic mother daughter team—Judith and Victoria Grazette. So, get on your mark, and get set to take hold of these life lessons from God’s Word for this generation!
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26
In 2 Timothy 1:5 the Apostle Paul makes a reference to this Proverbs 31 concept. It beautifully expresses my desire in my motherhood journey; to live out my faith as generations before me—and see it manifested in the next generation.
Paul says to his young protege, “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.”
Since I (Judith) am a daughter, and I am in the process of raising a daughter (Victoria), this Mother’s Day blog includes some lessons that have shaped my faith and life; truths I want to pass on to her. These are a few treasures my mom taught me, (or that I stumbled over when I was growing up, or maybe wished I had known before making life altering decisions.) But I also recognize that God has been teaching me more than a few lessons from this almost college bound sixteen year old, who now has a j-o-b and (have mercy) is now allowed to drive. So, I asked Victoria to share some lessons I can glean from too! I pray that these “Mommy and Daughter Lessons of Faith” encourage your own generational family influence to grow stronger this spring!
Mommy Lesson #1 ~ Plans
Be careful to hold your plans loosely, daughter, because life has a way of “happening.” Plan—but entrust those plans to God for His desired outcome for your life. Jeremiah 1:5 says “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, ….” He knows the details. Therefore, it is your obedience and trust that are vital for your life to be purpose-filled. Your grandmother would always quote Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Mommy Lesson #2 ~ Never Marry for Love
Marriage might be a far off dream right now, but your success will be based on three kingdom principles found in Proverbs 24:3-4
“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”
A mentor shared this with me years ago and it relates to other relationships too (even when you become a parent yourself): “You cannot apply (wisdom) what you don’t comprehend (understanding) and you cannot understand what you don’t know (knowledge).”
Now don’t get me wrong, putting your heart out there to love is a risk worth taking—but only when you apply God’s principles and allow Him to guide you.
Mommy Lesson #3 ~ Hurry with the Forgiveness
Forgiving quickly does not mean you have to restart relationships that are clearly not what God intends for you. But it uproots the seeds of bitterness that un-forgiveness can cause, preventing separation in your relationship with God. If this wasn’t very important, why would Jesus teach his disciples to pray concerning forgiveness in Matthew 6:12 “ forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us…”?
Remember, we bring our sin to God daily and ask Him for forgiveness. So, be quick to extend to others what you want for yourself – Grace and Forgiveness!
Mommy Lesson #4 – Be Intentional
Be kind to yourself and to others. Offer encouragement, look into people’s eyes when they are talking to you, and please listen!
Never be too busy to spend time with the people you love. We will all have school, work, and deadlines—but God’s command is to “Love Him and Love People.” So, never put so many things on your schedule that you omit time with God and with the special people in your life.
There are many more “Mommy Lessons” I pray I have taught you by “word and deed.” But now it’s my turn, as the mom, to sit in the student’s desk as you (Victoria) share some “Daughter Lessons” from your life and heart.
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers…” 1 Timothy 4:12
Daughter Lesson #1 ~ Do It Afraid
I have been performing since I was 3 years old (dancing, singing, playing an instrument, acting). My mom says that sometimes when I am on stage it causes her to wonder ‘who is that girl??’ She calls it a transformation – but I think I get my boldness from her encouraging me to go for what might look intimidating. When I get on stage I feel energized, fearless, excited and she has taught me how to make that step even if I am afraid.
Daughter Lesson #2~Listen with Empathy
Now If I am honest, my mom doesn’t always get this straight. She’s usually trying to solve the problem and sometimes that causes unnecessary tension. But sometimes she understands that it’s okay not to always have it all together. When I bring up words like “anxiety,” I can tell she wants to tell me to “get over myself” and she says things like— “what do you have to be anxious about?”; “You have it good!’” And, of course, she’s quoted Philippians 6:7 a zillion times! However, recently I have noticed my mom’s effort to try to listen and ask questions in order to teach me how to turn from emotions that are not God-focused. She is trying not to be too judgmental, giving me the grace to express my emotions freely while teaching me how to apply another verse:
Philippians 4:7 “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Daughter Lesson #3 ~ Be Present
I have heard my mom share about how quickly the time has flown since I was born, and how important it is for her to be present (not only physically but in other ways as well). Whether it’s in our conversations; or when I want to show her a new dance for competition; or watch my favorite social media influencers’ videos (that I know she’s not really into), being present is important. My mom is always dealing with other peoples’ kids as a Children’s Pastor, so I try to get her to stop and take in the moments with me. Funny enough I would actually say, ‘Choose me Mom!’ She has told me that I have taught her the importance of that choice. Even if it’s midnight and she’s exhausted, my mom tries, in the midst of her snores, to listen; or maybe it’s the ride to the studio where I can unload about my day; or when we take girl trips to Disney; or whatever time we spend together; time flies quickly—so try to be present!
Daughter Lesson #4 ~ Make God your #1 Priority
This is not really my lesson to my mom but more what I think her main lesson is to me. Over the last few years she has allowed me to participate in ministry alongside her. However, she always tells me that my priority should never be the ministry, but making my #1 Priority time alone with God! So, although it’s hard, I am encouraged to spend my life always prioritizing and creating space for intimacy with God. Mom has also taught me that above all else, I need to know His Voice for myself!
My parents are always reminding me of my birth story (too long to go into here) and how I got my name Victoria Imani (which means Conquering Faith). How awesome to know that before I was even conceived, God knew me and His plans for me are good. So that gives me confidents to hold onto His Word. My mom admits that she has made several mistakes as a mom but that God never makes mistakes and will not lead me down the wrong path. With that understanding, I don’t ever have to fear as I step into my future with Him.
Granny’s Lesson ~ Our Legacy
Both of us are so privileged to have had one important lesson passed down from my mom to me (Judith), and now from me to Victoria—and hopefully onto her children, and their children. We call it our “Life Verse” – our “Go-To Scripture” both in times of adversity and peace. It is Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths”.
As we learn from our children and have the amazing opportunity to share our faith and life lessons with them, I pray that God will remind us of the importance of always pointing back to Him.
Psalm 78:2(b)-7, “I will utter hidden things, things from of old—things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.”
Generationally there is so much wisdom we as moms can share with, and gain from, our daughters (and our sons). Godly wisdom enlightens them to who we are as women and shapes the future women (and men) we hope they will become. And, if you don’t have a daughter, there are so many young women who need older women to mentor them in love to be who God has called them to be. (Titus 2:3-5)
As we celebrate Mothers this month, let’s reflect on how many lessons of faith and life you have passed on to your daughters and what have they taught you.
From generation to generation,
Judith and Victoria Grazette
The Heart of Womanhood Ministry provides creative biblical encouragement for moms and daughters through monthly Blogs and intergenerational Bible studies. Check out our resources @ http://heartofwomanhood.org and strengthen your mother daughter spiritual legacy today. Together, let’s pass the baton of faith to the next generation.
