”7But we proved to be gentle among you, as a NURSING MOTHER tenderly cares for her own children. 8Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. 9For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; 11just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a FATHER would his own children, 12so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” 1 Thess. 2:7-12
Paul’s method of ministering to the Thessalonians was both soft and hard. His method was soft like the nurturing mother nursing her children. And his teaching method was hard like a father’s who exhorts, encourages, and implores. When raising my children, Hazel was the perfect balance to my method of teaching my children. She was soft. I was hard. Both are motivated out of love and the best intentions. God designed the family this way. God intends for the teaching to be gentle and then God intends for their to be enforcement. Mom is the tender persuader. Dad is the enforcer. And this carries over into the training of disciples, just as Paul describes.
The world is censoring talk of traditional marriage and traditional roles of mothers and fathers. In the church of Christ, we know and appreciate God’s wisdom and we embrace the roles He as given to us all.
Be encouraged!
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A Conquering Faith 
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