Week 17!

Challenge:The body of believers is such a beautiful thing. There are so many reasons why the author of Hebrews encourages us to "not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25). A few days ago this verse came alive to me, yet again, in church as I was chatting with a friend who has two children. One has her same personality and the other doesn't. She told me how she specifically prayed for the Lord to show her ways to invest in and pray for her son whose personality is the opposite of her own.

I thought that was very wise and it made me realize that while I pray certain things for all three of my children (i.e. that they would love the Lord, believe the Bible's truth in today's society, to remain pure, etc.) and I pray for each child individually based on the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual struggles I see in their lives. I have never asked the Lord to show me how to relate to and pray for each child individually.

No two children are the same. They have different personalities, interests, love languages, and skills. It makes sense that each child might have different spiritual gifts that the Lord has given them to serve others and to help them connect with Him and His holy Word. While my heart's desire is for my children is to know, love, and obey the Lord; I should be asking God, who knows them better than I do, how I can make that prayer request for my children more applicable for each child on an individual level. My challenge will be to listen to the Lord as He answers my prayers on how to best relate to, invest in, and pray for each of my children.

Father God, You are familiar with all of our ways (Psalm 139:3) and so I look to You to educate me on my own children. Lord, help me become even more familiar with all of their ways. Direct me in how to best instruct and relate to each of them. May I never assume that the ways I connect with You are going to be the ways they connect with You. Give me spiritual eyes to see the gifts and talents You have instilled in them and grant me the wisdom to help them apply Your Word to their daily lives. Teach me all about my children, I pray, and show me the areas I need to be interceding on their behalf. Thank You, Lord, for being an active, involved, and personal God. I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Prayer:
This week, let's connect the challenge and the prayer. I won't be able to write out a prayer that will be applicable to us all, but let's spend time praying for each of our children, by name, as the Lord leads us. I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to learning more about my children as I pray for them the things the Lord shows me. What a mighty God we serve! 

Week 16!

Challenge: What does the "bedtime routine" look like at your house? At our house we brush teeth, change diapers, read a Bible story, act out a Bible story, and then we begin the individual routines: we read a story with Havana, pray with her, and then do a series of kisses and snuggles that are the same every night. Then we go to Jonah's room where we read a story with him, say his prayers, and then do his routine of touching his basketballs and playing with his race cars. Selah goes last and her routine involves lotions/baby massage, prayers, and a bottle. From the time we start the process until the last child is down can take anywhere between 45-60 minutes!

I don't know about you, but for me, this can be a very challenging part of the day. It seems that the only time I can get anything accomplished (e-mails, dishes, laundry, phone calls, etc) is after their bedtime and so as the bedtime routine drags out I get impatient knowing that every minute we spend putting the children to bed is one less minute that I have to get things accomplished since my bedtime isn't too much later than theirs.

I recently read a Dr. Phil book (don't make fun of me!) and in it he stressed the importance of a routine and his example was the bedtime routine. He talked about the endless benefits having a night time routine has for the children. I certainly was convicted as I read it because I often rush through the routine to get them to bed when I should be relishing in the sweet moments with them and taking my time with them since predictable routines are healthy for children. The Lord didn't stop there in His conviction. I started talking to a friend this week who just returned from a christian parenting conference and she said they talked about how bedtime is the one time of the day that you should never rush.

So, clearly, I knew I had to make this week's challenge about developing/keeping a special bedtime routine. If you are like me and your family already has one, then let's make our challenge not to rush it or be disgruntled about it when it takes longer than we expect. If you don't have one- then start one! This doesn't just apply to people with younger kids - I started thinking about what I would want this to look like for us as the children grow into their teenage years and I do picture it as a time for praying together, studying the Word as a family, and then talking with each child about their day and their feelings. So even though the baby massages and race cars won't be around when my kids are older - being an ear and a prayer partner would certainly be a beneficial bedtime routine. If you're children are out of the house - perhaps encourage them to develop a bedtime routine with their little ones.

Dear Lord, You created both day and night and as I carry on about my day and as I tuck my children into bed - help me never forget that You are the creator of this world and You have such a purpose for me, my children, and my family. Help me develop a bedtime routine where You are honored and my children feel secure. Help me never to rush past this very important time. Thank You for giving me these precious souls to raise. I love You, Lord. Amen.

Prayer:
Lord, I pray that my children would be like Zacchaeus as we read about him in the Bible. Just as Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus in the crowd (Luke 19:3-4), I pray that my children would spiritually and physically do whatever is necessary to see You. May they rise above this culture and climb over sin struggles to fix their eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of their faith (Hebrews 12:2). May my children know that You will acknowledge them personally (Luke 19:5) and that no matter the sin in their life or the mistakes they have made; You desire a relationship with them just as you did with "the sinner" Zacchaeus (Luke 19:7). And, following his example, I pray that my children will open up their hearts to You just as he opened up his home to You (Luke 19:5-6). Zacchaeus declared before everyone that he was changing his ways and turning from his sin "here and now" and I pray that my children would do that as well - "here and now" - may nothing keep them from making behavioral changes after You have called them to repentance (Luke 19:8). Lord, You came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and I pray my children come to personalize that verse and know that You came to seek and save them. May the awesome truth of Your pursuit of them coupled with Your unconditional love and forgiveness bring them to their knees. I pray my children will live their life time glorifying You in every relationship, every deed, and with every breath. I ask all of these things in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

Week 14!

Challenge:
My sweet Selah woke me up at 5 this morning. I sleepily made her a bottle and took her out of the crib. As I sat down in the rocker I thought, "I should change her diaper before I feed her". She had been asleep since 7:30pm and I knew she would go back to bed after this feed and it would be a few more hours until I got her up for the day. Yet, I chose to give her the bottle without changing her. As I was feeding her I began to feel guilty and was worried that her diaper would become so full over the next few hours that urine would get all over her skin, clothes, and crib. I prayed, "Lord, please help Selah's diaper to hold tight until the morning." As the words were coming out of my mouth I felt so selfish. And the Lord very kindly whispered into my heart that I was asking Him to spare Selah any discomfort despite my own selfish decision. It was true. I didn't want to change her diaper because I wanted to go back to bed as quickly as possible.

Sadly, though, I'm sure that self-motivated prayer isn't isolated to that one incident. There are many times that I make choices that are easier for me in the moment and hope that my children aren't the ones who will pay the price. Sure, most of these are very insignificant occasions where the worst that can happen is a wet diaper or not the healthiest lunch, but at the same time, it really showed me my own sinful heart and the limitations I put on the Lord. What is He wanting to do in my own life if I only allowed Him to stretch me? What does He want to spare my children from if only I would go the extra mile? My challenge, this week, is to recognize those times when I want to take a short cut at the expense of my children. Is it over sleep time? Is it taking the time to fix a healthy meal rather than thaw out something easy? Is it so that I can sit in front of the computer instead of reading to my kids? Etc. Recognizing what situations make me prone to selfish short cuts will help me change not only my actions, but my attitudes. Calling on the Lord to grow me and mold me into the parent He wants me to be!

Father God, being a parent is such a gift and I thank You so much for this privilege. One of the many lessons I am learning on this journey is realizing how selfish I can be. I am sorry and I seek Your forgiveness for the times when I give into my flesh. Help me be faithful to Your leading by no longer taking short cuts simply for my own benefit. May I be aware of which situations are easiest for me to put my own desires above the needs of my children so that I can better combat my sinful nature. Please continue to mold me into the parent You have called me to be. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I pray that my children would be men and women who would seek Your face (Psalm 27:8) every day of their lives. Use their hearts and devotion to You, Lord, to bring about a revival in this land. May they may rise up with other believers and be part of a generation that seeks You (Psalm 24:6) and who sets apart Christ as Lord (1 Peter 3:15). I pray that my children would fear You and serve You with all faithfulness (Joshua 24:14). I'm looking forward to watching You work in and through my children. Thank You, Lord, for loving my children so much. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Week 13!

Challenge:
Starting back in December, my son Jonah started waking up in the middle of the night crying. This became frequent and soon progressed to him crying hysterically when we would put him down for bed. We were left puzzled by this new phase and unsure what to do. It finally got to a point where Jonah would get anxious about entering his room even during the day. My husband's work schedule kept him away many nights in January and so I often put the children down by myself. I would always put Jonah down last and as I was getting him ready  for bed... I can't really articulate it, but there was darkness present in his room. I could feel it in my spirit and I simply had to pray when I was in there. I mentioned this to Jason a few different times and he ended up seeking council about it with a trusted man of God. This man looked right at Jason and without hesitation he said, "Satan wants Jonah." Jason came home with a resolve that we will fight Satan tooth and nail because he will not have our son.

The challenge and the prayer will be combined this week. For my challenge, I need to be aware at just how active the devil is in my family's life. Ephesians 6:12 tells us, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." While we have been aggressive in fighting Satan over Jonah (which I'm thankful to report has solved all his anxiety!) we have not been as equally active in praying over and anointing Havana or Selah's rooms because they aren't being scared at night, but that doesn't mean Satan isn't after them... we know he is. I need to be more mindful that while I have hopes and dreams and prayers for my children - Satan does as well. He as an agenda for my family and it is the complete opposite of my agenda (and even more important God's agenda)! I need to be much more active in battling him over my children today and every day!

Prayer:
(there isn't one prayer I can write to cover all of this, but here is the basic prayer that can be used to launch into your own prayers specific to your family):
Father God, in the powerful name of Jesus Christ I ask you to come and protect my children. Protect them from the Evil One. Protect them from his lies and schemes. I know we were bought with the blood of Jesus (Acts 20:28) and I ask for it to be sprinkled over my children, their rooms, and their thoughts. Like Jesus, I exclaim, "Away from my children, Satan" (Matthew 4:10).  I bind Satan, in the name of Jesus Christ, from my family. From the windows and doors of my house - specifically in each of their rooms. From my children's thoughts, their dreams, their hearts, their spirits. From their closets to the shadows in their rooms... Satan has no power here. He cannot have my children and I command him to flee from here in the name of Jesus. I ask You to put a hedge of protection around each of my children and send your angels to guard our house. I love you, Lord, and I lay my family at Your feet knowing that  You will keep us safe. We submit our lives to You, Lord, help us resist the devil so that he will flee from us (James 4:7). Thank You, Lord, for Your protection and watchful eye. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.   

Week 9!

Challenge:
As I'm on this wonderful parenting journey - every week I end up thinking the same thing, "I have no idea what I'm doing." As a mom trying to raise children in this crazy world - I fall so short from knowing the best way to parent, love, discipline, and teach my children. I've intentionally tried to surround myself with wonderful friends who also have multiple children and similar parenting styles/goals so that we can "do life" together and learn as we go. I do think there is much to be said about that and I know, for me personally, it has helped quite a bit. But, still, I feel that I can learn so much more from older women in my life. My challenge this week is to pray about who specifically the Lord wants me to ask to be my parenting mentor. There are many amazing ladies in my life who are older and have already raised their children. I often talk with them when I see them and love their wisdom, but I'm needing something more formal. Something where I allow them to teach me, observe me, and pray with me. If you have older children, perhaps you could pray about someone you can invest in - sharing with them things you did well and mistakes you hope others don't repeat. So much wisdom lies in those who have walked ahead of us! I want to intentionally tap into it and bring Titus 2:3-5 to life in the lives our today's parents, "Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."

Dear Lord, thank You for the wisdom that You grant us through life's experiences and challenges. Please bring to mind one woman in my life, who is rooted in the Word, who can become a mentor to me. Prepare her heart for my request and grant me the courage to reach out. Please use her to minister to me. Likewise, if there is anyone I can pour into, please bring them to my heart and mind. Thank you that as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17). In Jesus' Name. Amen. 

For the Love of My Children:
Father God, thank You that You promise to work everything out for the good for those who are following You (Romans 8:28). I proclaim that promise over my family and for each of my children. I pray that no matter what my child is going/has gone/will go through - large or small - that You will bring Yourself glory through it and that it would be woven into my child's testimony. May my children trust Your Word that in everything they are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). What a joy and a relief that truth is and I pray that it would be real and tangible in every situation my child faces and that it would help me, as the parent, not to be anxious. As I put my fears aside, help me be convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate my children from Your love (Romans 8:38-39). I pray in the name of Christ Jesus, Our Lord. Amen.

Week 8!

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.

Week 7!

Challenge/For the Love of my Children:

"The one concern of the devil is to keep the saints from prayer. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless works, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray."  - Jonathan Edwards

When I read that quote earlier this week I was struck with the truth of it. I can often think about how much time and effort I have put into ministering to my children (and to others), but sadly, those actions are not always accompanied with prayer, thus making them self-driven rather than Spirit-driven. I get so preoccupied with the doing that I neglect the praying! This week's challenge will go hand-in-hand with the prayer for our children! My prayer is that I will be a parent of prayer and that my children would be people of prayer. My challenge is to put that prayer into practice. I'll pray more than I will talk. I will brainstorm for creative ideas in how to incorporate prayer for my children so that I'm not only praying for them, but I'm praying with them (as I side note I would love to hear any creative ideas you do in your family!).

Father God, You tell us in Scripture that Your will for us is to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and I am sorry for the times when I fall so short from that standard. Please infuse me with Your Spirit and help me become a parent of prayer.  Help me be more diligent about fasting from food and, like Jesus, willing to miss sleep in order to spend more time with You (Luke 6:12). As I read the Gospels I notice that Jesus never taught His disciples how to preach, but instead, He taught them how to pray. May I follow His lead in teaching my children. May I always be quick to encourage them to always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1). Give me the boldness to pray with my children no matter what the subject matter and help praying together become natural,comfortable, genuine, and a daily activity my children.
Lord, I also pray that my children would be people of prayer. May they look to You and continually seek Your face (1 Chronicles 16:11). May they devote themselves to prayer and always be eager to lift their souls up to You (Colossians 4:2, Psalm 25:1). I ask that You would help them develop such a thriving prayer life that prayer is their first response in everything instead of a last resort. Teach them to pray in the Spirit on all occasions (Ephesians 6:18) knowing that they can always approach Your throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). Thank You for hearing our prayers and desiring fellowship with us. I love you, Lord, and pray for all of this in Your Son's Name. Amen.

Week 6!

Challenge:  

Lately I have seen how my young children are cleverly deceptive. My three year old was in my room and as she was walking out I asked her what was in her hand because I suspected she had my phone (which isn't allowed). She puts one hand behind her back and held up her other hand and told me which toy she was holding. Not thinking much of it, I let her go only later realized she had taken my phone. Havana hid it behind her back when I asked her what she was in her hand. Cleverly deceptive. Then, my 19 month old was playing in the dog's water bowl with his favorite toy  ("buddy"). When I scolded him he looked at me, held up his toy and exclaimed, "Buddy water." He was trying to tell me that he wasn't playing in the dog's water bowl, but only his buddy was. Cleverly deceptive. These occurrences have gotten me thinking about my own life. Am I ever cleverly deceptive towards my children?

I doubt any parents sets out to lie to their children, but along the way it is easier to simply dismiss the truth and cover it up with a "white lie." Examples of this in my own life have been answering my child's "what's that?" question with "oh nothing."  Cleverly deceptive. I've also seen it played out with extended family when I tell Havana that we can't watch a show at her grandmother's house and yet her grandma comes along and says "because my DVD player isn't working" to help ease her disappointment. Cleverly deceptive. Jason and I have always said that we never wanted to lie to our children, but in the day to day living it is sometimes easy to answer "I don't know", "Oh nothing", "we don't have fruit snacks right now", or something similar in order to avoid the entire truth for whatever reason (lack of time to explain, trying to avoid a meltdown, etc). So, my challenge this week is to never be cleverly deceptive towards my children. This will require me to think before i speak and to be mindful of my answers which, all too often, are answered while I'm on auto-pilot. I will also prayerfully ask the Lord other areas of my life this might be applicable that I'm not even aware of yet. 

Last week's devotion was on not asking our children to do something we are unwilling to do ourselves and just a few week ago we prayed for our children to be truth tellers. So this week, I want to pray for myself exactly what I prayed for them!

Father God, I know that lying is Satan's native tongue (John 8:44) and I pray that I will live a life that is the complete opposite of his influence. May I always tell the whole truth - even when it is difficult. I pray that I would not give into white lies or partial truths. Instead, enable me to understand that You always want me to be truthful (Exodus 20:16). May I rely on You to give me the strength to continually speak the truth (Ephesians 4:25). Weave the power of being truthful into my soul so that I will be faithful in keeping my tongue from evil and their lips from speaking lies (Psalm 34:13). I pray in the name of Jesus that I will be an honest parent who give You glory in all I say. Amen.

For the Love of My Children: 

Precious Jesus, thank You for friendships. Thank you for those certain people in our lives who love us at all times (Proverbs 17:17). I pray that my children would be blessed with a great support system of God-fearing friends. Please help my child desire deep fellowship with Bible believers... friends who will keep them accountable and help them grow deeper in their faith (Proverbs 27:17). Help my children be intentional about walking with those who are wise in spiritual matters (Proverbs 13:20). While I do pray that my children will be witnesses to their unsaved friends; may they never desire the company of wicked men (Proverbs 24:1) or surround themselves with only those people who turn away from You, the living God (Hebrews 3:12). Please give my children the courage to be Godly friends to those around them.  Grant my children at least one faithful friend whose friendship will be similar to the friendship of David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:17).  Lastly, I pray, that my children would know You are the one and only friend who will stick closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24) and that they would love You and have faith in You so to be called a friend of God (James 2:23). Amen.

Week 5!

Challenge:

This past week as I was praying for my children to crave the Bible - I fell in love with Acts 17:11 which reads, "... they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."  As I was praying for my children to do exactly that... I had to ask myself, "is that me?" -- yes, it is what I want for my children, but is that me? Do I examine the Scriptures daily? Do I take lessons I'm learning in church, in Bible study, and in conversations with friends and compare them to the Word to make sure what I'm being taught is truth? Sadly, not always. Which leads me to my challenge for this week. I can't realistically ask/expect/pray for my children to do things that I don't do or am unwilling to do. In this example, it is studying the Scriptures daily, but this is true in other areas as well. Examples of this is spiritual areas might be: being faithful in my daily quiet time, demonstrating self control (even when I'm tired), not gossiping, etc. Another example in my life, that is not spiritually related, is in regards to what I eat. I don't like vegetables and so rarely eat them, but I do make my children eat them with their dinner. So, from now on I'll make myself eat my veggies before grabbing a cookie in order to keep the the mentality that I wouldn't ask my children to do something that I am unwilling to do myself. In what ways does this apply to you? Spiritually and in other areas? This is a very broad challenge and one that we can keep working at in several different areas, but oh how our children will be blessed to have us walking along side them as we slowly become more like the people we want them to be!

Father God, thank You for using my children to draw me into a deeper relationship with You. I ask that as my children study Your Word and learn to be obedient in all areas - may I, likewise, do the same. As I'm guiding them, help me live an authentic life where the things I am teaching are lived out in my own life. I love You Lord and it is in Your Son's name that I pray.  Amen.

For the Love of My Children:
Oh Jesus, thank You for the promise that You have summoned each  of us by name (Isaiah 43:1).  I pray that my children would have ears to hear You (Matthew 11:15).  Lord, You repeatedly called for Samuel (1 Samuel 3) and  I pray that, likewise, You would actively pursue my children until they recognize and respond to Your voice. But my prayer doesn't stop there, Lord. I beg that even after my children accept You as their Savior - they would continue to listen intently for Your voice. May they will live such quiet lives that Your voice does not compete with anything...  may it never be lost, muted, interrupted, or forgotten. As Your Spirit guides them, grant them the desire and discipline to always respond quickly to You with "Here I am, Lord, speak for Your servant is listening." (Isaiah 6:8, 1 Samuel 3:10). I ask all these things in Your name. Amen.

Week 3!

Challenge:
I'm not sure why the Lord laid heavy on my spirit certain conversations I witnessed this past week, but my heart was saddened as I overheard mothers with their children. At the grocery store, the mall, and even at church I heard mothers speak to their children in an aggravated tone over seemingly insignificant things. One mother was upset that her pre-teen daughter had left her coat at school, other mother was upset with her toddler for not wanting to sit in the shopping cart, and at church a mom was scolding her young daughter because she wanted to write on the "wall of Gratitude" to which the mother snapped, "I don't have time for this right now."

I prayed that these mothers would "watch their words" towards their children in light of last week's challenge, but what hurt my heart the most in these examples is that it seemed that the mothers were upset with their child for selfish reasons. One mother was irritated she had to make an extra trip back to the school, another annoyed because of her extremely active tot, and the other simply didn't have time for her daughter to write down what she is thankful for. At the root of each mother's scolding was frustration. Not at the child or what the child had done, but more in regards to how their child had inconvenienced their own plans. 

We are selfish people by nature, myself very much included, and as mothers when our sleep is disrupted, when milk is spilled on the floor, when yogurt is smeared in hair, when that valuable vase is broken, when the science project is forgotten about until the night before, when those new (expensive) jeans get a stain, when a cell phone is misplaced, when they get can't get a ride home and you have to drop what you're doing to pick them up, when a sick day for them means lost vacation time at work for you, when (fill in the blank). The question isn't what are our children going to do that might change our plans or interrupt our day, but instead it is how are we going to respond when their actions reverse, halt, and complicate our plans?

While it is important that we teach our kids to be responsible, to think of others above themselves, and to obey first time... we must have grace with our children. We must never get upset that our children make our lives harder. Instead, we need to look at those moments and use them to edify us. I think about Ananias in the Bible whose plans were interrupted when the Lord asked him to go tend to Saul. He didn't want to, he was afraid, and yet instead of being selfish... he obeyed and thus played a significant role in Saul's conversion to Paul (Acts 9). Are we open to having the Lord interrupt the plans we make for ourselves through our children? Can we be so brave as to ask the Lord to change us through them? Let's use those moments when we are running late, when we have to take a sick day, when we have to mop the floor for the 12th time in an hour to make us more Christ like. To give us a servants heart. To ingrain into our souls what it means to put others before ourselves. To truly live as Jesus did. We must cling to the truth that children, from the moment they are placed into our families (through conception or adoption), are blessings - lives that are ordained by the Lord and filled with great purpose. Perhaps one of those purposes is to make us, as parents, more selfless. My challenge, this week, is to view those moments when my day doesn't go as planned as opportunities to thank the Lord for the privilege of being a mother (a role some women would gladly give their right arm for) and then put to death the idols of me time/sleep time/career time/I have the day planned out perfectly time/etc. in order to use each of moment of the day to become less selfish, more flexible, and incredibly grace filled.

Jesus, I pray that You would give me the strength I need to face each trying, frustrating, messy, and unplanned moment with the grace You demonstrated when You lived on this earth. I pray You would use my precious children to help me not look only towards my own interests, but also the interests of others - especially theirs (Philippians 2:4). Help me overcome my flesh and implant in me a selfless heart. Remind me to show my children grace daily just as you show me grace daily. May I delight in the challenges they bring and use those times to become more like You. Amen.

Prayer:
Father God, we know that lying is Satan's native tongue (John 8:44) and so I pray that my children will live lives that are the complete opposite of his influence. May my children always tell the whole truth - even when it is difficult. I pray that they would not give into white lies or partial truths. Instead, enable them to understand that You always want them to be truthful (Exodus 20:16). May they rely on You to give them the strength to continually speak the truth (Ephesians 4:25). Weave the power of being truthful into their souls so that they will be faithful in keeping their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking lies (Psalm 34:13). I pray in the name of Jesus that my children will be honest men and women who give You glory in all they say. Amen.

Week One!

Challenge: 

Havana: Mama, I want to play with you.

Me: Oh, honey, I would love to play with you, but I'm making dinner right now.
Havana: Mama, I want to play trains with you in the playroom. Please?
Me: Baby, I'm making dinner... can you bring some trains in here and play them at my feet?
Havana: yes...  (she does so and then a few minutes later... )  Look mommy, I'm busy.
Me: What did you say, love?
Havana: I said, look mommy, I'm busy now.

Okay, I'm not sure if you have had a conversation like that with your child, but tonight I had that very conversation and it was my first of its kind. To say it broke my heart would be an understatement. Perhaps better stated, it broke my heart and slapped me upside the head. As I have reflected on that tonight, I wonder how many times has she asked me to play with her and my response has been, "wait a minute, honey, I'm busy." Busy! With what? Sure, there are times a chore around the house can't wait, her brother's dirty diaper can't wait, and dinner can't wait. I understand that, but I'm convicted tonight knowing that not everything on my "to-do" list needs to be accomplished before I sit down and play with my daughter. As I skimmed the Gospels tonight I reminded that wherever Jesus went - crowds of people followed needing something from Him. And guess what? He always had time for their problems. Matthew 12:15 says, "... Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick."

What a heart for people our Jesus had. I strive to show my children the love of Jesus and yet I often let little things get in the way of simply being with them. Havana wasn't asking me to heal the cut on her leg... she was asking me to play trains. Certainly, I don't want my daughter to believe the world revolves around her, but I don't want her to think her mother is "too busy" to play with her because Jesus was never too busy for others. My challenge this week is to plan times when I can play with each child individually throughout the day. One way this can happen for me is if I prepare dinners the night before in order to save an hour each afternoon, but for you it might look totally different. What chore can be postponed until nap time or bedtime? What e-mail response do you need to write that can wait? Let's give our children intentional time this week. (And for those of you with older children, I am certain this still applies... call up your child simply to ask them about their day, their spouse... just give them your attention and let them lead the direction of the conversation).

Sweet Jesus, thank You for your example of always giving to others. I am sorry for the times when I put simple or selfish things above spending time with my children. Aside from You and my spouse there is nothing that should require more of my energy and focus. Please help me say to insignificant things, "Not right now, I'm too busy investing in my child." rather than it being the other way around. Grant me discipline to sit down and play/talk when I think I should be sweeping the floor. Help me be a Mary towards You, my spouse, and my children in this Martha world. Amen.

For the Love Of My Children:
Father God, You tell us in Your Word that Your hand is upon everyone who looks to You (Ezra 8:22), and I pray that my children would look to only You for their Salvation. I pray they would seek You with all of their hearts because You promise if they do so that they will find You (Jeremiah 29:13). Lord, in this world our children will hear so many lies about Jesus and Salvation and I pray that they will not let anyone lead them astray (1 John 3:7) or put their trust in mortal men who cannot save (Psalm 146:3). Instead I pray that they would stand firm in the truth that Salvation is found in no one other than Jesus Christ and that there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). I pray all of these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.