Being a mother is often difficult. To conquer the will of a child is not always a pleasant or easy task; it is made more difficult if you stand alone as you try to do so. How important it is that husband and wife are partnered in the task that is child rearing. Husbands are called to self-sacrificial, Christ-like leadership. It is not an easy calling. It requires the denial of self-will, exchanging our natural instincts and inclinations for God’s will to be done instead. Ladies, your calling is no less difficult. In fact, Susanna Wesley hinted at it many years ago as she pointed out it is not only the child’s will that must be conquered. Your own will must be conquered as well. A critical expression of the Christian life is the fact that we cast off our own will and take up instead the will of God to be our own new will and desire in all things. This change touches every realm of life.
