Tribute to Mother in Literature from Jane Austen

"...forsake not the law of thy mother…" ~ Proverbs 6:20b

~ A Tribute from Literature to Mother's ~

"As soon as Mrs. Dashwood (mother) had recovered herself, to see Marianne was her desire; and in two minutes she was with her beloved child - rendered dearer to her than ever by absence, unhappiness, and danger. Elinor's delight as she saw what each felt in meeting, was only checked by an apprehension of its robbing Marianne of further sleep; but Mrs. Dashwood could be calm, could be even prudent, when the life of a child was at stake, and Marianne, satisified in knowing her mother was near her, and conscious of being too weak for conversation, submitted readily to the silence and quiet prescribed by every nurse around her.

Marianne continued to mind every day, and the brilliant cheerfulness of Mrs. Dashwood's (mother) looks and spirits proved her to be, as she repeatedly declared herself, one of the happiest women in the world."

~ Jane Austen, Excerpt from Sense and Sensibility (mother in parentheses is my addition)

“A mother would have been always present. A mother would have been a constant friend; her influence would have been beyond all other. ”

~ Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Teach Me Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homemaking Thursdays and Deep Roots at Home. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. 

Virtuous Woman ~ Proverbs 31 Printable Art

I have seen many Proverbs 31 prints for sale but they are rather expensive.

This basic printable would make a thrifty but lovely gift for a mother or maiden.

Look for 8 by 10 frames in second-hand stores that you could paint and decorate.

To accessorize this printable to match a room, print on colored card-stock or fancy paper.

Or, perhaps you will want to make your own design?

To use ours, simply press the link below, download and print.

PRINTABLE INSPIRATIONAL ART A Virtuous Woman by JES

Graphics for this project are courtesy of Reading, Roses and Prose.

You will find gift tags there as well.

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Teach Me Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homemaking Thursdays and Deep Roots at Home. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. 

Starting Small ~ Planting Seeds of Motherhood

"Train up a child in the way he should go:

and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

~ Proverbs 22:6

The world is wise enough to know that a young child is a very impressionable child. This is why the education system continues to fight to get our children into schools at a younger age. The advantage of mothers is that they can use this opportunity to advance the kingdom of God.

I recently found this little book in our archives and thought to share it with you today. "When I'm Mommy: A Little Girl's Paraphrase of Proverbs 31" by Ginger Adair Fulton is a wonderful tool to aid aspiring homemakers. Many mothers wonder when the right time is to instill the Keeper at Home/Proverbs 31 values.

Today is the day... for every book they read and every video they watch, is already instructing them in some way. Be purposeful with what you share with your maidens for everything contains a message (Be discerning. For example, do they devaluate motherhood? Etc...). What you expose your daughter to at a young age will make a huge impact in their adult lives. It is forming their worldview. 

We shy away from books where the main characters are disrespectful to elders, are demanding and spoiled (lacking parental instruction), use inappropriate words such as "stupid" and contain trendy lifestyles that the author would portray as normal (picture if you will a little one wearing earphones, listening independently to worldly music while ignoring the family, obnoxiously chomping on gum, dressed like the latest rock star).

When you see affordable, picture books with a godly message, it is also fun to think creatively with them to make the moment more enjoyable. You can create a curriculum of sorts. A book like this can be a coloring book. Read a page a day as a Bible lesson, cut out the pictures and make a "beautiful girlhood" scrapbook. Memorize and copy the corresponding verses, decorate them in pretty colors, glue down ribbons and other fancies to make for a fun craft.

I encourage you to spend time with your daughter, learning about their Creator and their biblical role now. The books we choose are vital. Tomorrow will be here quicker than you can imagine and your little girl will be a young lady.

For our favorite beautiful and biblical picture books, visit the list here.

For the beautiful benefits of mothers and daughters reading together, visit here.

For our Regal Reading List, visit here.

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Teach Me Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homemaking Thursdays and Deep Roots at Home. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. 

Victorian Scrapbook ~ April 1864

"No influence is so powerful as that of the mother."

~ Sarah Josepha Hale, Editress of Godey's Lady's Book (shared below)

Would you like to step back in time to the April of 1864?

BIBLE PHOTOGRAPHS OF WOMEN. 

"MIRIAM, THE PROPHETESS." 
"Sound the loud timbrel o'er Egypt's dark sea! 
Jehovah has triumphed, and Israel is free." 

"The Bible has a wonderful distinctness in its delineations 
of human character. The Divine Light (of which the 
effect of the Sun in lining the photograph seems a faint 
illustration) produces by a single impression, the charac- 
teristics of the man or woman who stands under its beams 
of eternal truth. We feel this power of holy inspiration, 
and rest on its revealings with an assured conviction that 
the likeness is true. 

There are not many women introduced in Bible history; 
those who are, touched by this Ithuriel spear, seem to 
come like revelations of what God designed as the destiny 
and duties of the feminine sex. Among these representa- 
tive women, is one whose name is united with intellectual 
powers and great deeds, surpassing all others described 
in the old Testament, as surely as the evening star out- 
shines her sisters of the sky — "Miriam the prophetess." 

The first glimpse we have of Miriam's remarkable in- 
telligence and power of aiding the plans of Divine Prov- 
idence, is when she, a little girl, watches the cradle of 
her baby brother Moses, as he lies helplessly exposed to 
his fate among the reeds of the Nile. {Exodus, chap, ii.) 
Was not Moses then, even in his helplessness, a strong 
tower of faith and hope to that waiting girl, who must 
have known that her people inherited the promises, and 
believed that the time of deliverance would surely come? 
How she must have rejoiced when the babe was saved 
and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter! Did not Joseph 
become the ruler of all Egypt ? Might not her brother 
Moses be thus raised to honor? and then the Hebrews 
would be free! As Miriam "stood afar off, to witness what 
would become of him,'-' and saw him saved ; did she not, 
in her young heart, "Sing to the Lord" in the triumph 
of her soul, and dedicate herself to him? 

Eighty years had gone by since that scene on the banks 
of the Nile. During these years no ray of light had 
broken the gloom of Egyptian bondage for the Hebrews. 
Now they are redeemed by the mercy of God, and, led by 
His servant Moses, stand free and triumphant over their 
enemies, who have all perished in the Red Sea. What 
themes for joy and gratitude to the Lord this wonderful 
deliverance gave that ransomed people! "The Song of 
Moses" seems, even now, when reading it, to shout the 
praises of the ever-living and true God. 

It is the fitting time for the Hebrew heroine to come 
forth from the shadows of eighty years, since she, a little 
girl, watched the cradle of her brother Moses, See her 
stand by his side, in the full radiance of her majestic 
womanhood, his helper: her name joined with her 
brothers (Micah iv. 4), "Moses, Aaron and Miriam," as 
leaders of Israel ; her assigned duty to be leader of the 
women:''Miriam the prophetess.'' 

What honor was hers, as the light of divine truth 
stamped on the holy pages of God's Book an indelible 
photograph of that joyous thanksgiving of praise and 
glory to the Lord God, when "Miriam the prophetess 
took a timbrel in her hand ; and all the women went out 
after her with timbrels and with dances." And Miriam 
answered them, " Sing ye to the Lord, for He hath tri- 
umphed gloriously ; the horse and his rider hath He cast 
into the sea!" 


Yes, Miriam, a devout worshipper of the true God 
had kept her faith and hope in His promises; and now, 
at the age of ninety years, she seems endowed with the 
full powers of her mind and health, most probably was 
in the full possession of that oriental comeliness, "where 
all that's best of dark and bright, meet in her aspect and 
her eyes."

No Queen on her throne ever had such a glorious triumph as                       Miriam then enjoyed..."

~ Excerpt by Sarah Josepha Hale, Editress of Godey's Lady's Magazine

I hope you enjoyed these treasures from the past…

Coming soon! Don't miss May's exciting issue!

Would You Like to Read Our Back Issues?

January 1864

February 1864

March 1864

This post may be shared with some or all of the following lovely link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Teach Me Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, and Deep Roots at Home. Thank you, dear ladies, for hosting these! The engraving of Miriam was not in the original Godey but has been inserted by the author of this blog.

Modesty Starts in the Inside and Works its Way Out...

Woman Reading in the Garden by Marie Spartali Stillman

"Let me say first that modesty doesn’t begin with our clothing. It starts in the heart. When we’re right with God—walking in purity and humility before Him—it will be reflected in a modest appearance.

The problem with the pharasees was that their relationship with God was all physical and outward. The heart and soul wasn't affected by their faith. Sadly, women today use this same excuse when it comes to modest dressing. They claim their heart is pure and that is what is most important.

However, that is not the complete picture. If our heart is full of God, it will overflow into everything we think, say and do. It will overflow into our clothing as well. The complete picture of modesty is finally spoken out loud through your dress. It says:

"I am a follower of Christ. I understand that I was bought at a price. I understand that my adornment affects many around me. I can keep a pure environment by my proper conduct. I can keep thoughts focused on Him, rather than myself."

Let us love Him from the inside out! Let us be overfilled, overflowed and live in His abundance, in every way of our lives."

~ Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Other thoughts on Modesty:

Beauty of Modesty ~ A Collection of Quotes
Bathsheba's Beauty ~ A Message of Modesty

This post may be shared with some or all of the following lovely link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Teach Me Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, and Deep Roots at Home. Thank you, dear ladies, for hosting these!

Stirring up the Gifts Within Our Daughters

Flowers in the Field by Francis Luis Mora

"Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God,

which is in thee by the putting on of my hands."

~ 2 Timothy 1:6

The average age (for a first marriage) for women in the United States in 2009 was 26.5 years. There is a decline in marriages in general and the church is not removed from this truth. While at a homeschool convention a few years ago, I had a chance to meet a lovely Amish/Mennonite young lady. She was 26 and unmarried. We got on the conversation and she said she is not alone. Many of her friends are waiting for the right man but the boys in their churches are in no hurry to marry and the quality is lacking. I was saddened but not surprised as this seemed to be the trend in our churches as well.

What to do? While raising our daughters to be keepers at home, we must remember that although homemaking is a beautiful calling, there is also something God given in each of us that requires further nurturing.

At the Piano by Childe Hassam

Do you have a girl who is musical like Miriam was? Encourage her to develop those skills. How comforting a sweet song can be to the soul.

The Embroiderer by James Carroll Beckwith

Do you have a Lydia who loves to sew? There are many sewing classes available, DVD curriculums and friends and family who can help to nurture this interest. Encourage her to use her talents to make modest clothing (and possible sell them), sew baby gifts for new mothers, etc.

Young Girl with Goat and Flowers by Emile Munier

Does your daughter have a love for animals like the shepherd daughters of Jethro? Encourage her to mentor a young girl who shares a similar love or create a cottage industry with the by-products from her farm ventures.

Portrait of Dora by Frank Dicksee

We must "stir up the gifts" within our daughters so they may begin their active work now. A purpose must be given, a vision set and goals created. There are many opportunities to serve in the home sphere where God has placed us. Pray for guidance and wisdom that these acts of service will fulfill your daughter and her desires.

The Sensitive Plant by Frank Dicksee

It is a wicked world out there. If our maidens are not working diligently on some sort of labor or skill, the world will certainly provide amusements for them. All these talents will only benefit and broaden a future home that they may have of their own one day. And lastly, be purposeful and  share with all the dear younger women you know how important and special they are to their Creator (because you are, dear maiden!).

"Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."

~ Proverbs 31:29

This post may be shared with some or all of the following lovely link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Teach Me Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, and Deep Roots at Home. Thank you, dear ladies, for hosting these!

Victorian Scrapbook ~ March 1864

Once again we have a lovely scene of children with their femininely dressed mothers in this Victorian Era periodical. Did you know that the editress of Godey's Lady's Book (Sarah Josepha Hale) is also the author of the famous nursery rhyme, "Mary Had a Little Lamb"?

Would you like to step back in time to the March of 1864?

NECESSITY OF FAITH IN PROVIDENCE. 

Certain moral necessities are on the mind and heart of man; and the recognition of an overruling Providence is one of them. An all-seeing and an all-disposing power confronts us everywhere and in everything; and not to believe in a Providence of which this power is the visible expression would be to confound all the circumstances and necessities of human life, as well as to falsify the whole testimony of our moral nature. The admission of a creation draws after it as a necessary sequence the acknowledgment of a Providence. To admit the one and deny the other is a palpable contradiction. In an hour of darkness and distress—conditions to which human experience is ever incident—man is forced to look to the supernatural and divine for light and comfort. 

(continued below)

Here is a condition of dependence which no human power can relieve; this dependence, therefore, implies, unless man's whole nature is a lie, something to depend only which must, of necessity, be divine and without limitation. Faith in a superintending, beneficent Providence is therefore a necessity to the human heart. 'Tis indeed a sublime comfort to the earth-troubled spirit to know that: 

"Unheard, no burdened heart's appeal 

Moans up to God's inclining ear; 

Unheeded by his tender eye, 

Falls to the earth no sufferer's tear."

~ Excerpt from Godey's Lady's Book, March 1864

"A true woman will be a true friend, and those are the best and truest friendships that have been born in adversity and nurtured by trial...

(continued below)

Passion, and more particularly ill-regulated passion, too frequently perishes from its very vehemence, till there is nothing left for it but to die. True love creates its own refreshment in the simple act of loving, and by its very constancy is a beautiful example of that Scripture which saith, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

~ Excerpt from Godey's Lady's Book, March 1864

Stern daughter of the voice of God! 

Duty! if that name thou love, 

Who art a light to guide, a rod 

To check the erring and reprove; 

Give unto me, made lonely wise, 

The spirit of self-sacrifice!

~Wordsworth.

I hope you enjoyed these treasures from the past…

Coming soon! Don't miss April's exciting issue!

Would You Like to Read Our Back Issues?

January 1864

February 1864

This post may be shared with some or all of the following lovely link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Teach Me Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, and Deep Roots at Home. Thank you, dear ladies, for hosting these!