When we witness a person’s triumphant moment it’s easy to think that person is just blessed or maybe just lucky. Yet the truth is that while raw talent may have helped the direction that person traveled, usually there is more to the story. Whether the goal is an Olympic medal, writing a book or having amazing adult children that live for God. That moment is a moment because of a series of moments before it.The moments that happen add up to the day, build to be weeks, and quickly become years. Just as an athlete trains or a business person has a plan; parents need to start with the end in mind.
Proverbs 22:6 (TPT) Dedicate your children to God and point them in the way that they should go and the values they’ve learned from you will be with them for life.Said another way; train them in the direction they are best suited to go. Some Jewish scholars teach this means understanding your children’s talents and then seeing that they go into that field. I know you have probably heard that verse and it’s easy to recite it quickly. Give yourself a pat-on-the-back, awesome. I take my kids to church, we pray before meals and bed, play some worship music while cleaning the house. I’ve covered my bases and now I can rest because God’s word says my grown child will stay the path.
Umm well don’t run off just yet. That stuff is good but let’s walk that verse a little slower. Training is a word that invokes a picture of doing a task over and over again. So many times that your body can do the task from just muscle memory. Are we showing our children how to enter God’s presence and wait upon his directions, with the same enthusiasm as sports or academics?
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you lie down and when you get up. Parents take note that He has to be your God. You have to love God with all your heart, your soul, and your strength before you can impress God’s words on your children’s heart. Then you have to lead your children. Talk to your children. Talk when you read their favorite story book. Help them recognize God’s love, beauty and His work throughout the day.
Then ask Holy Spirit to help you see your child through God’s eyes. What better way to help your child grow in the direction he or she should go. In the natural, your child’s behavior, interests or struggles may frustrate you or her. God is so good, ask Him to reveal how he sees your child so you know how best to guide her. Jesus is a God that is interested in relationship. While you are devoting time and effort to the training of yourself and family. Remember to have Jesus in the center with single-minded loyalty. Invite Jesus to infuse your home and family. Our job as parents is to show our children the direction to travel. This is not an easy, quick assignment. This is a do it over and over again task. It is a be faithful in the little kind of job. Oftentimes you will discover the lesson you are repeating with your child, God will use it to touch you. Be encouraged. Those invisible moments, those “I’m so tired, I’m so frustrated, not again moments”, God sees you in that moment. Lean into Him in those moments. Then watch with anticipation as he shows himself faithful. God doesn’t need us to be perfect parents. In our honesty, struggles, and weakness we allow room for God to show his love, mercy and grace.
Proverbs 6:22 When you walk, they will lead you. When you lie down they will watch over you and when you wake they talk with you.
Written by Sarah Petro
Nesting in his presence 
Beautifully written and very encouraging. This was great!
LikeLike