As I spent time this past week watching the two of them journey this life together, I noticed a few things. Well, I noticed a lot of things. But, a few things worthy of sharing with each of you. I hope you enjoy.
We put them to bed. He climbed out of his bed. Which was a first. The door opened and they ran down the hall. Times 3. On the third trip I noticed she was following behind encouraging him to come back to the room with her for bedtime. He continued to run. On the 4th time he came down the hall alone. She stayed behind.
During the picnic, he walked off beyond the “allowed” boundaries. She followed behind him encouraging him to come back. He returned with her.
In that moment, I prayed for God to grow in her the motherly heart she possesses today. To help nurture her love or her brother and his for her.
Let’s pause or a moment. I want to be sure you all know that I am not mistaken. She gets herself into plenty of trouble for not choosing to obey. She, herself, is the tender age of 3. I say tender loosely as it’s a difficult time.
Prayer. For Her. For Me.
As I pondered the beginning of the week with them deeper I felt compelled for pray for her and for me. For discernment.
Discernment for her.
In life we find ourselves chasing. Chasing many things and people. Often we chase people in an attempt to pull them back from somewhere we see as somewhere they shouldn’t be. I’ve done so myself. People have chased me.
I prayed for God to grant her discernment and wisdom as she walks this journey of life to know when to go after someone and when to go to prayer. There are times when we should go to someone and times when we should go to prayer on their behalf. Knowing the difference is critical for them and us. I’ve found myself in places I never intended to be chasing someone to bring them back.
Discernment for me.
As the one who is responsible for teaching her to lead this life worthy of her calling and in a way that ensures she seeks God first all the days of her life – I prayed for discernment for me.
When do I counsel her to go and when do I counsel her to stay back in fervent prayer. And, how will I know the lessons she needs to learn with God and the lessons I need to teach her. How will I protect her heart and teach it to deeply reach for her real personal experience with him. First and foremost in everything she does.
Prayer for him.
I prayed for him too. That he would find his journey to take him places outside the boundaries and limitations of what I perceive his calling to be. But, that his willingness to push past the boundaries given him with that strong sense of determination is all done for the glory of his eternal savior. That he would too have discernment. When to go. When to stay. When to push past the boundaries and when to respect them.
As we pray thoughtfully for our children, I want to encourage you to do so with his leading. That we would be able to notice the small things of their lives God builds on for the steps he’s ordained for them to walk. That his will be done. Not ours.
Thoughtfully pray for guidance today. What is the inner most aspect of your child or grandchild that God seeks to foster growth in for their ministry and calling. He will answer and guide us.
Be blessed. Bobbie
