Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. (Proverbs 31:25-28 ESV)
When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person. (Ecclesiastes 12:13 AMP)
In many ways, the role of a mother has remained unchanged for thousands of years. She gives birth, nurtures, feeds, cleans, loves, teaches, and shapes her child in ways no one else can. While fathers play a vital role in a child’s development, a mother’s influence is both unique and essential. Studies by sociologists and others often link negative outcomes—such as incarceration, drug use, illiteracy, crime, and teen pregnancy—to the quality of parenting. Though good parenting doesn’t guarantee a child will grow into a strong, healthy, or moral adult, it undeniably has a powerful impact.
I came across a quote this week from a short story written in 1854. Some of the author’s assumptions may seem quaint or even out of date to our 2025 ears, but it focuses us on the child’s character development by the mother:
“Upon the character of the mother depends, almost entirely, the future character of the child. No matter how wise and good the father may be, his influence will do but little — if opposed by that of an injudicious mother.
“The father is with the children only for a short time each day, and cannot know their characters thoroughly, nor the means that best react upon and correct their evils. Upon the mother devolves, therefore, of necessity, the high and important duty of molding the characters of her children — of impressing them for good or evil — of giving them true strength for their trials in life.
“The whole life of the child is affected by the mother’s character, and the influences which she has brought to bear upon him.” (Timothy Shay Arthur 1809 – 1885, “A Mothers Influence,” first published in 1854 as part of his collection Home Scenes and Home Influence: A Series of Tales and Sketches.)
[Side note: I didn’t know what “injudicious” meant, so I looked it up: “showing poor judgment or lacking wisdom or discretion in making decisions; unwise, imprudent, careless, or thoughtless.”]
The author was a writer and social reformer in his generation, yet his words challenge us today: how are we investing in the character of the children we influence? How can we be impressing them for good or evil — and giving them true strength for their trials in life? How do we help them develop good judgement, wisdom, discretion, and thoughtfulness?
Whether or not you have biological children and grandchildren, you are an influence to the people around you. A young person’s formative years are critically important for molding their faith and character for the rest of their lives, but older people need love and guidance in these areas, too.
Today, let us pray for the development of character in our children, youth, and adults. May we be men and women who are examples of honor, integrity, grace, love, righteousness, discernment, and wisdom. May we help develop upcoming generations so they fear the Lord and bless his name.
God,
We thank you for your faithfulness through the ages, for the diversity of your creation, and for the call to wise and righteous living revealed through your Word and Spirit. Thank you for inviting each of us to grow in character and to positively influence the lives and character of those around us.
Today, we lift up mothers and fathers, teachers and coaches, pastors and mentors—those who pour into the next generation. We pray that they will help prepare young people to be ready for action, steadfast in purpose, self-disciplined, and spiritually and morally alert. May they place their hope fully in your grace, live as obedient children, and walk as transformed sons and daughters of the Most High God.
Grant them a deep hunger for your Word, courage to follow your call, and hearts that worship you with awe and reverence. May they walk in holy fear and respect for you. We ask that your Word and Spirit guide us all in nurturing maturity in this rising generation—so that they may become men and women marked by honor, integrity, grace, love, righteousness, discernment, and wisdom.
We ask all of this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. AMEN.
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. (Proverbs 9:10 NLT)
So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit—steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on the grace [of God] that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. [Live] as obedient children [of God]; do not be conformed to the evil desires which governed you in your ignorance [before you knew the requirements and transforming power of the good news regarding salvation]. But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage]; because it is written, “You shall be holy (set apart), for I am holy.” If you address as Father, the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in [reverent] fear [of Him] and with profound respect for Him throughout the time of your stay on earth. (1 Peter 1:13-17 AMP)