Most of us are familiar with the quote by Benjamin Franklin, “if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” By the same token, when we don't prepare our children, we're planning their failure.

As mothers, we must be examples of “truth”. Otherwise we offer a lie that perpetuates itself into a lifetime of deception, hurt and pain.

Most of us want our children to have it easier than we did…we don’t want them to want for anything or work too hard. However, the consequence of this mindset often leads to spoiled, entitled brats who want everything handed to them on a silver platter. While desiring a more prosperous life is a good thing, we must be careful not to leave out principles that instill Godly values and develop contributors to society.

In 2 Timothy 1:3-7, Paul offers a word of encouragement to Timothy to be faithful and gives reference to his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, as an instrumental source of his sound teaching and spiritual upbringing.

Here is a tremendous tribute to a grandmother and mother, whose diligence in preparing their son to trust and follow God was noticed and noted. Ladies, let's follow suit, not for the acknowledgement of others, but for the wellbeing of our children.

God will never hold us accountable for what our children do, but He will hold us accountable for what we have (and haven't) taught them. In order to prepare them, we must first prepare ourselves.

Challenge: (from Ephesians 6:10-19 The Message Bible Translation)

• Children – honor your mothers and pray for their strength: God is strong, and he wants you strong.
• Family and Friends – pray this prayer for mothers: Take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
• Mothers – Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.