Choosing a Spouse: Toads, moles and kings

©Millie McNabb

I read Thumbelina to the girls tonight at bedtime. It’s about a “thumb-sized” little girl who is stolen by a toad who wants to marry her. The fish help her escape, and then she is out on her own. When it gets cold, a mouse takes her in and his friend the mole wants to marry her. We assume he’s nice as far as moles go, but his home is underground. He allows her to go see the sunlight one last time before they marry. A swallow she had nursed back to health carries her away, where she finds other little people and marries the king.

When I finished the story, my daughter said she read the story to herself the other day, and wondered why as a child she thought it was so fascinating. She went on to say, that hearing me read it with the different voices brought it to life.

In real life there will be toads and moles who want to marry our daughters. There will be those who tell the tale in voices that make it sound more fascinating than the reality will be.

Passing on our Christian values includes warning and protecting our children. Studies show that when women are ovulating they are more attracted to the “bad boys.” Talk about that when it is age appropriate, and develop a plan for built-in safeguards, since logic may go out the window when the toads come a-stealing.

Another caution to give our children is about the moles. Women have a strong desire for security. The mole could provide food and shelter, but it was only on his underground terms. While a husband should be the protector and provider, he is also to cherish and nourish his wife.

For Thumbelina, there was an excellent match—a like-sized king. We need to teach our children to pray and prepare for that excellence.

“So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also {does} the church, because we are members of His body.” (Ephesians 5:28-30)

Have you prepared your children for the toads, moles and kings that come a-courting?

God bless….

Millie McNabb, founder of Christian Values Legacy, has been married over thirty years. She offers parenting seminars that focus on passing on your Christian values. Request your free report “Considerations for Intentionally Raising Children to Become Christian Adults” today at http://www.christianvalueslegacy.com./