March 2, 2018
I have prayed for weeks on this devotion. There were so many great scriptures I could use, I could not decide on them – just ask D. I thought, hmmmm Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” That’s a good one, since this week marked the 2 year anniversary of Family Ties here at PCN. I looked at old photos of our families, and reflected on how much we all have grown individually, as family units, and as a group. We see how you embody this verse as we look at “A” and “B” and how much their hearts have grown for God and how you foster the love of God at home. Anytime, there is an event, your family is there – quick to jump in and do whatever is needed. You both work right alongside your children – and are already doing what Proverbs 22:6 says and know you will continue this with “C”….so then my search for the perfect scripture continued and knew I would find it because as Luke said it – “For no word from God will ever fail.”
Then during my morning quiet time, I read Romans 12:12 “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” And thought THAT’S IT!!!!
- Rejoice in hope
When your child is born, there is always this moment when you hold them, look at them, and are filled with all the hope you have for their life. As a parent, you need to build a firm foundation in His hope – as Hebrews calls it – an anchor. The fulfilled promises of God that need to be taught to help him understand that nothing is impossible with God. Through reading old testament stories like that of Noah or Moses. It is something that you should not waiver in your nurturing of “C.” Teach him to submit to God like Noah did, strengthen his faith like Moses did, trust in God’s timing like Abraham did, and thank God like David did. Help him to grow through what he goes through.
- Be patient in tribulation
I think we can all say we have been here, whether as a child, parent or both. Being of the flesh tends to take over when we are in trouble. We do not want to wait minutes, hours…even months or years for a solution. I believe its teaching ourselves and our children to remain steadfast under trial like in the book of James. Or looking at God’s covenant to Abraham. He waited 25 years after he was told he would be the father of many nations…He and Sarah were obedient and waited patiently, – not perfectly because they did try to take matters into their own hands – they were of the flesh after all. Through God’s grace the promise to them was fulfilled. Then God says, “Hey, it’s time to start your family” It is only right, they laughed when one is ninety and the other is 100 yr old. It is remembering everything is done in God’s timing and not ours. It is to remember to love when we need to be patient with family, respect when we need to be patient with others, have confidence when we need to be patient with ourselves and most importantly have faith when we need to be patient with God.
- Be consistent in prayer
We know parenthood is filled with prayer. From the time you are carrying your baby the prayer begins….
”Dear God, please make this child stop kicking my ribs”, “Dear God, please make these cankles go away”
Then they are born….
“Dear God, please let them sleep through the night.” “Dear Lord, where do I even start on this monstrosity of a diaper – mess!” – I don’t miss those days.
Seriously, a parent’s prayer is their secret weapon and is an essential tool we need to provide for our children. As a parent, you are continually praying for your child’s well-being, their happiness, their safety, healing for their pains and sorrows. You teach your child how to pray, the importance of praying and giving it to God and not losing heart when you are waiting for a resolution. Like in Luke 18, Jesus talks about persistence in his parable about prayer. The relentless widow time after time went to a godless judge to seek protection – and he continually refused. Finally the judge, who you can only imagine views her as that annoying fly that just won’t go away, provides her with protection.
If you are praying about it, God is working on it – He desires that. Now, it may not always be the answer we desire for that prayer, but he will give us resolution as Matthew says “For everyone who asks receives”
Everyone has heard, and will probably agree, that parenthood is the toughest job you’ll ever love. Now imagine the magnitude of God’s love as he parents us all. He gave us an establishment of hope to provide us with patience to get through those rough patches and prays we listen to His will and not our own. I pray for God’s blessings and guidance as you prepare for and raise “C.” D and I love you all.
Biblical Bacon 