As I observe the lives of modern urban children, I often reflect on how difficult it must be to raise them in faith. After all, this is precisely what God expects from us, as Orthodox Christian parents. The apostle Paul spoke about women finding salvation through motherhood, and while he primarily referenced Eve, these words apply to every woman. However, it's essential to understand that the natural act of giving birth isn't, in itself, salvific. As Paul continued, “she will be saved... if she continues in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control” (1 Timothy 2:15).

Yes, mothers who raise their children with faith have far more chances of raising true Christians than those who don’t, no matter how many children they have. This is because the foundation of raising children has two wings: love and personal example.

But how can we teach our children to love? Especially today, when it’s so easy to spoil them—often without even realizing it. Toys, delicious food, top-notch educational centers with the best teachers—what parent, when they have the means, would deny their child these comforts? Yet, a child may begin to take this care for granted, growing into a simple, self-centered individual.

And still, I believe it’s possible to teach love. If we try earnestly, God will help us.

Let’s consider a simple example: you decide to get a pet for the children’s happiness. It’s easy to buy a beautiful kitten from breeders, but what if you find an advertisement about a poor, sick kitten from the streets that needs care and nourishment? The joy it brings will be no less, and your child’s heart will soften through caring for a living being—through worrying about its well-being.

This process? That’s the essence of it. The reward for your child will come in the form of the realization that the animal has been saved and is happy! A kitten from a breeder will surely find a home, but this street kitten—would it be alive now if you, together with your child, hadn’t taken it to the vet, hadn’t washed its eyes, hadn’t fed it? The child isn’t just playing the role of a doctor; they are truly concerned for the pet!

It’s a simple example, but it’s through compassion that we can teach our children love—the Christian, sacrificial kind of love. I’ve seen it in practice. I remember when my first-grader turned down a visit to a water park simply because the kitten needed to be fed on schedule. He’d been dreaming of the water park, and his whole class was going that day, but with parents accompanying them. Our little kitten would have been left home alone for half the day.

Of course, as with all things, the results of parenting aren’t immediately clear, and my "parental autumn" hasn’t arrived yet. But every Christian woman desires to lead her children to Christ—kind and loving.

I am no exception.

By teaching our children compassion, we are nurturing not just their ability to love, but also their ability to sacrifice for others. In a world that often celebrates self-centeredness, teaching compassion is one of the most important lessons we can impart, as it helps them grow into the kind of Christians who not only believe in Christ but also embody His love.

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