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. 

Like Mother, Like Daughter...

"Behold,
every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee,
saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter."

~ Ezekiel 16:44

It is sad that the proverb, "As is the mother, so is her daughter" would be used in a negative fashion. Though the verse above is speaking about Israel and her rebellious offspring, it is also very applicable to us women today.

I remember reading once that we should be careful that we do not discipline our children for the sins we ourselves have taught them. This can be so true. How many times do we get frustrated at a behavior in our child only to by humbled by the knowledge that it is the weakness which we suffer from ourselves? Yes, "like mother, like daughter" does apply to us today.

It can have a lethal connotation when we think of the likes of Jezebel and Athalia. However, it has a beautiful implication when we think of the lives of Grandmother Lois and Eunice.

We need to constantly pray for strength and wisdom for our dear maidens are watching…

Continue reading at Deep Roots at Home…

Importance of Tying Heart Strings to Our Daughters

The Mother by Frank Dicksee

"But above all these things put on love,

which is the bond of perfection."

~ Colossians 3:14

Oh Mothers, how important you are to your dear daughters! Your relationship with them has so much impact on their lives and it is the worthiest of investments to spend quality time with them. Do you want to be the one they go to when their heart is in turmoil? Do you want to be the one they share their struggles with? Do you want to be the one they confide in and ask counsel of?

Then you must begin to tie the heart strings now….

The best way to show your love is by spending time with your daughters. Life is made up of small increments of time and the mother who cultivates those moments will have the greatest influence. Bonding with your daughter now will help to ensure a beautiful relationship in the future. If you do not win their hearts now, how can you expect to receive it when the trials of life come their way? 

"Before you can teach children,

you must get the silver key of kindness to unlock their hearts,

and so secure their attention."

~ Charles Spurgeon

Activities such as tea parties together, visits to museums, picnics, board games and simply cuddling on the couch with beautiful literature are all ways to create a bond of love that will endure during those turbulent years of growing up (I will go into more detail on these activities in future posts).

Dear mothers, it is not too late. Start now. Sow the seeds, embrace the moments, make memories, and shower your dearies with affection and attention so that they will not seek the world in their time of sorrows but only the loving arms of mother.

Note: I also would encourage the same relationship with fathers to their sons.

To be a Mother...

"To be a mother is the grandest vocation in the world. 

No one being has a position of such power and influence. 

She holds in her hands the destiny of nations; 

for to her is necessarily committed the making of a nation's citizens." 

~ Hannah Whitall Smith