One night I was feeling extremely tired and wanted to retire for the night but could not find my satin head cloth, so I inadvertently put on my hosiery, on my head instead and without even thinking about it. The next morning, my two daughters saw it and they remarked, Mommy, how is it that you have put the hosiery on your head? I replied, O mommy could not find her scarf, so I used the next best thing. Well, to my distaste behold both of my daughters soon began doing the same thing without even bothering to look for their satin caps. My response to the LORD was, Abba, Father, what have I done? He replied, the power of influence! There is a quote written by William Ross Wallace, “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world,” and yes, this is profoundly true but today I want to candidly speak to you on the Power of Influence. How are you influencing your children and indeed think about this? The Power of Influence affects every aspect of your life. First, let us examine how Rebecca conspired with her youngest son to steal his elder brother’s birthright because she favoured him more and she was able by the Power of Influence to successfully deceive her children’s father in blessing the younger son with his elder son’s birthright under false pretense. The Power of Influence! I was summarizing this story is found in the Book of Genesis chapter twenty-five and verse twenty-eight but as we are on the eve of celebrating Mother’s Day some, how there has been a breach and mothers are not really being celebrated and respected by their children anymore. While there are notable mothers of valor far too many mothers are being in some cases abused and disrespected by their children. This must not be because the truth must be told. The Epistle of Ephesians chapter 6:1-4 KJV sums it all up for you and me. Let us read it together from verse (1) “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” (2) “Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;” (3) “That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” (4) “And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
There are many questions without any answers but we as mothers must take a daily inventory of our own lives and take a closer look at the way we are influencing our children, our husbands, friends, and our Neighbours. Let us examine our attitudes and behavior. Do we exercise self-control? When we become angry, do we resort to calling our children ill names? Are we respectful with our husbands? These are only a few of the many questions which need an answer. Do you realize the way we react influences how our children will respond to challenging situations and the level of respect they will exhibit for others? Sometimes if we choose the effortless way out of a situation and fail to do it the correct way, as a result, our children will become lazy. The way husbands and wives treat each other can influence their children to disrespect or respect their spouses and, in some cases, can cause them to be resentful to their spouses. Truth be known, it is quite challenging in-home life. There is a saying though that, A man’s house is his castle and that speaks volumes of his wife who is the keeper of his castle. Home life is also especially important and plays an integral part in the stability of children. We must go back to God’s standard for the home.
Every boy and girl need their father and mother. Mothers cannot be a father to their children and fathers likewise a father cannot be a mother. Mothers, please do not deny your children the privilege of their father. Fathers do not disown your children; this is a terrible thing to do to a child and it will influence them in a negative manner. The truth is only, God, can heal a child who has been denied by their parents. If you have done this to any of your children, please it is never too late while you are still alive to say you are sorry and ask for forgiveness as this helps in the healing process. As we celebrate this Mother’s Day let us include the fathers as they come along, side the mothers. Mothers do not speak any negative words against the fathers, instead, mother, build, him up and decree and declare him to be the father of your children according to Yahweh’s Mandate for his life. When you do this and your children hear you speak so highly of their father, they too would have a correct perspective of him as their father.
Take note, that one night in which I was feeling so tired and took that shortcut used the effortless way out and put my stockings on my head. I soon regretted it when I saw how my being lazy and failure to persevere in the search for my satin cap. This became a teachable lesson for me and caused me to realize that everything I do my children are watching and because of the influence I have on them. It is important that I influence them in a positive way in all areas of my life. The stocking cap was negative, and it influenced my two daughters so much that each time they were not able to find their satin cap they reached for the stockings to put on their heads.
As I hasten to conclude this message. How have you and I used the Power of Influence? The Book of Proverbs comes to mind and sums it up so beautifully from chapter 31:30-31. Verse (30) “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Verse (31) “Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.” The Power of Influence!
Let us Pray:
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Word. In the Name of Jesus move by Your Spirit and breathe upon the one who has read this message. I pray for recovery of the family relationship as we celebrate Mother’s Day. Divinely intervene in every home in this nation and across the globe. Father, rebuild the prayer altar in the home. Turn the hearts of husbands and wives to each other and restore their children to a right relationship with their parents. Let this Special Day be one long to be remembered. Give us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to use the Power of Influence to bring about reconciliation and a loving atmosphere in our homes. In Jesus Name!