I don't want to be a plastic fork!

I am still so excited that we were finally able to share our big news with you! Sunday morning, as I read my Bible, I felt different. I realize I've been pregnant for 14 weeks now, but something seems more "real" now that the world knows.

As I sat in my favorite chair Sunday morning, eating my granola and reading my Bible, I thought of my mom. Some of my earliest and fondest memories are of her sitting at the kitchen table, reading her Bible early in the morning. I knew she would be there each morning, finding out what God had for her that day. And it made such an impression on me. As I've mentioned before, I respect my mom so much. I think she is the greatest and love when I do something as "Tammy Covey" would. Now, as I enter this new phase of motherhood, I hope to imitate her in how I raise my children. I want them to see me constantly in the Word. I want them to know that my relationship with Jesus is important. I want them to see me treat their dad with respect and make it obvious that we love each other. I want to be like my mom.

Catching up on some Sunday reading, I saw verses differently that I had read many times before. I decided right then and there that although I can't start decorating the nursery or changing my baby's diapers I can work on me. I can work on getting myself prepared to face the challenges of this next portion of our lives. I can dig into God's Word and see how He would wish for me to parent. As I read 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon that morning, I kept scribbling down notes and references in my journal. I couldn't believe the specific things the Lord was showing me to encourage me to become the right kind of mother.

"As for you, Titus, promote the kind the living that reflects wholesome teaching...

Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors god. They must not slander

others or be heavy drinkers. Instead they should teach others what is good. These older 

women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their

children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good,

and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. 

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind.

Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

Teach the truth so that your teaching can't be criticized. Then those who oppose us will 

be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us."

Titus 2:1, 3-5, 7-8

My mother taught me those important lessons mentioned in the first section of verses. It is exciting and scary to realize that I am now the one to be setting the example to my children. Both of my parents led by example. They had the same set of rules for themselves that they had for my sister and I. They didn't watch different movies than the ones they allowed us to watch. They showed us that their standards were God's standards - and that's why those rules were in place. I respect the integrity that my parents possess. And I want to follow in their footsteps. 

"I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when 

I laid my hands on you."

2 Timothy 1:5-6

What an awesome responsibility that grandmothers and mothers are given. Timothy's spiritual growth was directly affected by the influence of these women in his life. As I mentioned before, my mother is mother is a spiritual example to me. But my grandmothers have also shown me their love for Jesus in different ways. 

I can remember the big family Bible that sat on the coffee table at my Nanny's house. She reads a few chapters each day in order to make it through the entire Bible in a year. I can still remember spending the night at her house when I was a little girl and she would stop to read her Bible before going to bed. 

My grandmother Mae loves music. I have distinct memories of her humming or singing Gospels tunes and songs as she went about her day. Whether she was cooking or picking up the house, there was a sweet melody coming from her lips. 

When we spend the night at my Maw-Maw's house, we sleep in the room right next to her bedroom. When all the lights are turned out for the night, you can hear her whispering her prayers. Even when I spent the night there a few months ago, those sweet words could be heard in the darkness of the night. 

Just as these ladies have impacted me - I want to impact my children and grandchildren. How amazing to have normal parts of your day stand out and affect someone's spiritual growth. These may seem like little insignificant things to some, but to me, they are priceless. I know that what is in your heart pours out into your life. And then that may affect future generations. 

In the end, I want to be someone that God can use. He has chosen to bless Jeremiah and I with a child to raise. And I pray that I will live my life in such a way that the child will one day turn his heart and life over to Jesus. 

(Here's where the weird blog title comes into play...)

"In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of 

wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the

cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special 

utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clear, and you will be ready for the Master

to use you for every good work."

2 Timothy 2:20-21

Image found here. 

We've all seen the different types of silverware - there's the plastic ones that come out at picnics. They are used and then thrown away. Then, there is the nice silverware that is used when company comes over. Those utensils may be reserved for holidays or special guests. I've decided that I don't want to be the plastic silverware that is only used for insignificant events. Instead, I want to be the good stuff - the silverware that lasts forever, and that is always ready for honorable use. I want to be the utensil that is passed on to future generations and that is made to last. I am so thankful that my mother and other influential ladies in my life decided to be the good silverware. They decided to be ready for the Lord's use, whether it was leading by example in doing their daily devotions or saying their evening prayers. I dont' want to be a plastic fork that is only used for a short time. I want to be used over and over again by the Master. And I pray that the Lord continues to remind me of this illustration each time I set my table. 

Are you the special utensil, set aside for honorable use?