“The Educated Child,” a book by William J. Bennett, Chester E. Finn Jr., and John T.E. Cribb Jr., contains this story:

“About 150 years ago, a mother in Port Huron, Michigan took her son out of school after a teacher called the youngster ‘addled.’  She knew the boy was bright, so she decided to teach him at home.  She encouraged his questions, let him set up a lab in the basement with old bottles and wires and parts he’d collected, ad gave him  primer on physics called “The School Compendium of Nature and Experimental Philosophy” which was full of experiments he could perform himself.  Many years later, the son told a newspaper, ‘My mother was the making of me.’  By that time, Thomas Edison was America’s most celebrated inventor and scientist” (p. 394).

The point is this: A parent can influence a child in ways no one else can.  How are you influencing your children?  Read 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15.

One powerful way to positively influence your child is by reading to them, especially from the Scriptures.  Consider the following poem:

WHEN MOTHER READS ALOUD

When Mother reads aloud, the past                                                                                             Seems real as every day;                                                                                                                        I hear the tramp of armies vast,                                                                                                           I see the spears and lances cast,                                                                                                           I join the thrilling fray.                                                                                                                    Brave knights and ladies fair and proud                                                                                              I meet when Mother reads aloud.

When Mother reads aloud, far lands                                                                                            Seem very near and true;                                                                                                                       I cross the deserts’ gleaming sands,                                                                                                 Or hunt the jungle’s prowling bands,                                                                                                Or sail the ocean blue.                                                                                                                       Far heights, whose peaks the cold mists shroud,                                                                               I scale when Mother reads aloud.

When Mother reads aloud, I long                                                                                                   For noble deeds to do-                                                                                                                         To help the right, redress the wrong;                                                                                                 It seems so easy to be strong,                                                                                                               So simple to be true                                                                                                                            Oh, thick and fast the visions crowd                                                                                                My eyes, when Mother reads aloud.

We should ever be thankful for Godly mothers. Where would we be without them?