“The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.”
~Genesis 3:20 {ESV}

What is life?

By definition:

Life is that property of plants and animals (ending at death) which makes it possible for them to take in food, get energy from it, grow, etc. {Webster’s New World Dictionary}.

As women, we are that property. We bear the same title as Eve. We are life givers. Although Eve was found guilty of sin and sentenced to physical death, just as we are, we still have the privilege of giving life – both of the physical and of the spiritual. Isn’t that amazing?

This is our higher calling.

What do you think of when you think of life?

Imagine for a second a moment full of life. Maybe it’s an experience already lived, or maybe it’s just a mere musing of your imagination. Regardless, think about it. Experience in your mind a moment full of life!

What surrounds you? What are you thinking about?  What emotions do you feel?

I must ask. Do you think of the fruit of the Spirit?

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-Control

In some ways, I am positive that you do. The fruit of the Spirit exude life because they flow from the giver of life Himself- Jesus Christ. In His grace, He has given us, as women, the unique opportunity to reflect Him in this way. What a privilege!

How can we, as women, extend life to those around us?

In the physical, we extend life through our bodies. The woman’s body was designed to give and sustain life.

As women, we have the privilege of carrying life within our womb, as well as the ability to provide nourishment through our milk for the first several months of our babies’ lives. We are that property making it possible for our babies to take food, get energy, and grow!

In addition, our bodies, as well as our presence, are a source of comfort to our husbands and children. We were created to emulate the comfort and peace found in Christ.

Isaiah 66:13 affirms this truth:

 “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”

We are uniquely feminine for this purpose – to give physical life to our homes!

In the spiritual, we are the life of our home. We have the ability to bring joy, peace, and laughter to our homes that only we as women can. The old saying, “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy,” is unfortunately, and yet fortunately, completely true.

We have only to look through the book of Proverbs to see this truth repeated time and time again.

Proverbs 14: 1 says,

“The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.”

Then, Proverbs 21:9 states,

“It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.”

Though our attitudes and actions have the ability to bring sadness and destruction to our homes, on the contrary, we can represent the hope that Christ extends to His children by being an encourager, example of humility, and quick to forgive.

We can change the sheets on our child’s bed – again – even though he’s been potty trained for months. We can forgive our husband – again – when he says unkind words. We can encourage our children with soft words when they disobey – again. We can seek out evidence of God’s grace in the every day moments so that we can build up those who walk the hallways of our homes.

As women, and life-givers, we are that property that gives our husbands and children the sustenance they need to live through our commendation of the Gospel. We can make the Gospel attractive to our husbands and children through our daily sacrifice of our time, energy, and care; thus giving life to those God has placed in our lives.

We are uniquely called to be keepers of our homes for this purpose – to give spiritual life to our homes!

So today, sweet readers, ask yourself:

Am I cultivating the seeds of life for my husband and children, or am I bringing death? Am I actively seeking to grow in the fruit of the Spirit, or am I gratifying the desires of the flesh?

These are tough, but necessary questions to ask ourselves, as we seek to emulate Christ to our husbands and children through not only our physical, but spiritual abilities to give life.

Be sure to check out this week’s giveaway!