Momma's Sword of the Spirit

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. – Psalm 150:6

Take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:17

When I think of the thing for which I am most grateful in life, it would have to be God’s Word. From childhood, I heard Scripture from my mother day after day. And she encouraged her children to learn and study as well. Thank you, Momma.

In the front of her own well-worn Bible she wrote,

Once I settle it for good that there is nothing in the Bible that is trivial and meaningless, once I am assured that everything in Scripture has significance and value, then I shall prayerfully ponder every section and expect to find “hidden treasures” (Proverbs 2:4). And according to my faith, so it will be unto me.

Momma taped Scripture verses all over the house, muttering them to herself as she went about her work. One evening she said to me, “I want to quote for you what I’ve just memorized, okay?”

“Great, Mom. What is it?”

“First Peter.”

I waited a second, then asked, “First Peter? First Peter what?”

“Oh . . . the book. I memorized the whole book. Wanna hear it?”

Without hesitating she started in and quoted every single verse. I was amazed. My sixty-three-year-old mother was a whiz. She never missed a beat as Daddy and I listened, mesmerized.

I was the witness of Momma’s love of God’s Word throughout my childhood, and I’m the richer for it.

If you are a mother and discouraged about your children, don’t lose hope. Spend time in God’s Book. Hidden treasures will be found and passed on. And your children will be grateful someday. According to your faith, you will see things change.

–Luci Swindoll

Give encouragement to my heart, Lord, through your Word. Amen.

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Your Turn

What a blessing a godly mother truly is! We give thanks this weekend for all mothers! Please share in the comments your favorite memories of how your mothers or other role models taught you to embrace a relationship with Christ. If you’re the first generation in your family to know and love the Lord and don’t have that foundation of faith, let us know how you are trying to provide a spiritual legacy for your children.