The Measure of Success ~ By Angie Maldonado

I have been writing and pondering about the idea of us, as moms, leaving a spiritual legacy and what that entails on a very personal level.  It has required much self-evaluation and in that process I asked myself the question, "What would make me feel successful as a mother?"  My initial response was that I would feel successful if my girls grew up choosing to walk with and serve Jesus.  While on the surface this seems a valid and legitimate response, I quickly retracted it though. Do you know why?  Because if I base my success as a mom on the fact that my girls choose salvation, that puts me in the control seat of their salvation.  This is not the case.  My Bible tells me that it is the job of the Holy Spirit.  Furthermore, that would bump quite a few wonderful mothers I know out of the "successful" category.  So, I quickly reworded my answer to the question of success - "to live my life in such a way that genuinely and consistently demonstrates the light of my savior to my daughters." (Deuteronomy 6:2-9) If I do, it is likely they will choose to follow.  The rest is between my daughters and the Holy Spirit.

This led me to a second question, "What would make me feel successful as a wife?" In the same manner, I cannot discount the power of the Holy Spirit.  Just like my role as a mother, I have the responsibility to live out my role as a wife in a manner honoring Jesus; shining His light.  But there will be many things in my marriage and in my spouse that fall under the control of the Holy Spirit. Does that change how I should live out my role?  Most certainly not.  Too often we base our thoughts, feelings and actions on the response or even the anticipated response of our spouse.  Nowhere in the Word do I find such responses to be encouraged.  What I do see is I should only be saying things that benefit and build up my spouse (Eph. 4:29). What I do see is I should be praying for him (Jms. 5:16, 1 Ths. 5:17). What I do see is I should be treating him as greater than myself (Phil. 2:3-4) and as I would want him to treat me (Mt. 7:12). The Holy Spirit is in control of the rest.

I think all of us would want to say we are successful as wives.  I'm sure some of our husbands make that easier than others to accomplish.  But, we must measure success with God's ruler.   You cannot control the fate of your child's salvation, but you can sure impact their choice.  You cannot control the response of your husband.  But it's much more likely to be positive if you are honoring success by God's standard.

~ Angie Maldonado is a home schooling mom of two girls (ages 3 and 5) and an Army wife. Her greatest goal in life is to leave a remarkable spiritual legacy to her two girls and to see them mature with hearts to serve the Lord.  She enjoys crafting, reading, and of course, writing.  She is working on her first book dedicated to encouraging women to let their lights shine for the Lord Jesus.