The Children's Blessing: Honor Due to Virtuous Parents

Her children arise up, and call her blessed.—Proverbs 31:28

The praise attending the virtuous woman originates from those best acquainted with her: her own children. This blessing represents a profound debt owed to godly parenthood.

What character deserves such honor from children? First, those truly wise—parents who pursue knowledge and righteousness. Second, those genuinely kind, gentleness marking their daily dealings. Third, the industrious and careful, whose diligent stewardship teaches by example. Fourth, the charitable, whose benevolence flows from genuine piety toward Elohim. Fifth, the virtuous—those sober and temperate, just and righteous in conversation, exemplary in integrity and uprightness.

The family constitutes the most sacred of social relationships. It typifies spiritual bonds and realizes them through lived faith. The pious mother's distinctive honor lies in receiving benediction from her own children, who speak of her with reverence, love, and blessing.

Children's gratitude demands three duties: maintain grateful remembrance and honorable mention of godly parents; give thanks to Elohim for them; recognize profoundly the loss when such parents are removed from us. The religiousness that shapes children is not doctrinal abstraction but the religiousness of common life—faith imbuing all household things with its feeling, sanctifying all things with its presence.

Young women must cultivate character now that will make them wise and holy mothers, securing the benediction their children shall one day freely offer.