The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him: What, O my son?
And What, O son of my womb?
And what, O song of my vows?

Proverbs 31:1-2

Previously on Day 11 we introduced this mother of King Lemuel and her oracle to her son which her son, the king, wrote down under God-breathed direction. Today, I want to ask, “Do our children know we love them?” Did King Lemuel, whoever he was, know his mother loved him. I would give a resounding “Yes!” based on his willingness to share very intimate advice from his mother. And I can hear this mother’s tender cries in prayer for her adult son given in verse two.

A mother recently shared with me concerning her young son…

“I have been earnestly praying that I could understand him better and help him better. And I am thankful that God continues to answer that prayer.”

I replied…

“I still pray that prayer as a mom of adult children and a grandma!”

Same pleas as King Lemuel’s mother just in modern terms. The absolute best way our kids and grandkids will ever know how much we love them is to pray for them and with them. Our prayers may be within the family group or one on one with an individual child or grandchild. I think it is important for them to hear their name spoken by us to our Heavenly Father in prayer. But other times, it will be in our own private moments of prayer and often in anguish.

Romans 8:26 [NLT]

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

Another important way to show our love to our children is to just tell them, “I love you!” And they are never too old to hear that! Keep it natural and real and authentic. Our children will remember when they need it most.

Showing our love for our children may best be done by actions rather than words, and I don’t mean lavishing them with expensive gifts or giving them anything they want. I mean living our daily lives like Jesus really is Lord of our lives! There will be many moments and encounters when we must use words of instruction and advice with our kids, just like the king’s mother in Proverbs 31. But, I am convinced that the only reason this king valued her words is that her daily life actions showed her heart’s desire to exemplify those words. 

No woman can 100% of the time live up to 100% of the last 21 verses of Proverbs 31 in our earthly state of being human. But, we can, in Jesus’ Name, have the heart’s desire to live those verses out for His glory!

James 2:17 

Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.