Challenge:
I read an article this week about "backwards planning" - the concept is that we should think about our end goals and then plan backwards to figure out how to reach those goals. I certainly understand this concept and have seen it played out from redecorating our house to mastering spiritual disciplines, but I got to thinking about that in regards to parenting. I don't know about you, but sometimes I get so caught up in who I want my children to be that I forget to celebrate who they are now. I was convicted that my end goal for them might be hampering my ability to receive the gifts that the present brings. Do you do this? I don't think is limited to people with small children as we might always envision and dream about the character of our children in future years: college, first job, marriage, as parents of their own, etc.
My challenge this week is to pay attention to my life as it is given to me right now. I will focus on the precious present. I want to partner with God in what He is doing in my children's lives at this very simple stage rather than imagining how He will move mightily in their lives years for now. I can pray for their future, absolutely, but I want to relish in the right now.
Dear God, thank You for the Holy Spirit's conviction and Your amazing grace. Sometimes I struggle, strive, and analyze every conversation with my children in hopes that they will come to know You, but Lord, help me not focus so much on the then that I miss what You are doing now. Help me find the balance of praying for their future and yet focusing on today. May I put into practice Your advice of letting tomorrow worry about itself (Matthew 6:34). Grant me the wisdom to know where You are at work in my children's lives this very day so that I might join You in it. In Jesus name. Amen.
Prayer:
Precious Lord, thank You for my children. Thank you for their lives which are no accident... in fact, You knew about them and loved them before they were concieved (Jeremiah 1:5). I pray that, like Jesus, my children would grow in wisdom and stature, in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52). May they be men and women who are full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Help them grow in the saving grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ and I pray that they would bring You glory all the days of their lives (2 Peter 3:18). Please help my children welcome Your Gospel message with joy and become a model to all believers (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7). I love You, Lord, and ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
I read an article this week about "backwards planning" - the concept is that we should think about our end goals and then plan backwards to figure out how to reach those goals. I certainly understand this concept and have seen it played out from redecorating our house to mastering spiritual disciplines, but I got to thinking about that in regards to parenting. I don't know about you, but sometimes I get so caught up in who I want my children to be that I forget to celebrate who they are now. I was convicted that my end goal for them might be hampering my ability to receive the gifts that the present brings. Do you do this? I don't think is limited to people with small children as we might always envision and dream about the character of our children in future years: college, first job, marriage, as parents of their own, etc.
My challenge this week is to pay attention to my life as it is given to me right now. I will focus on the precious present. I want to partner with God in what He is doing in my children's lives at this very simple stage rather than imagining how He will move mightily in their lives years for now. I can pray for their future, absolutely, but I want to relish in the right now.
Dear God, thank You for the Holy Spirit's conviction and Your amazing grace. Sometimes I struggle, strive, and analyze every conversation with my children in hopes that they will come to know You, but Lord, help me not focus so much on the then that I miss what You are doing now. Help me find the balance of praying for their future and yet focusing on today. May I put into practice Your advice of letting tomorrow worry about itself (Matthew 6:34). Grant me the wisdom to know where You are at work in my children's lives this very day so that I might join You in it. In Jesus name. Amen.
Prayer:
Precious Lord, thank You for my children. Thank you for their lives which are no accident... in fact, You knew about them and loved them before they were concieved (Jeremiah 1:5). I pray that, like Jesus, my children would grow in wisdom and stature, in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52). May they be men and women who are full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Help them grow in the saving grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ and I pray that they would bring You glory all the days of their lives (2 Peter 3:18). Please help my children welcome Your Gospel message with joy and become a model to all believers (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7). I love You, Lord, and ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment