Being a parent is a holy calling from God, and God never calls us to do a job without providing the power and the plan to do that job successfully. How can we be the moms and dads that really matter?
We are incapable of really loving our children until we first love God. Motherhood at its best demands a thriving partnership with God. We cannot give unconditional love until we have received unconditional love. And God is the only source of that kind of love. We can do everything else right as a parent, but if we don't begin by loving God - we will fail.
It is never too late to start praying, and it is always too early to stop.
Pray for God's plan – not yours – when praying for your children. Pray that you will see your child through the eyes of God. Pray specific verses of Scripture for your child:
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Lord, I pray that Jessica would trust in you with all her heart and will lean not unto her own understanding. I pray that in all her ways Jessica will acknowledge you and that you will direct her paths."
1 Peter 5:7 "Lord, I pray that Rebekah would cast all her care upon you, because you care for her."
Joshua 1:9 Lord, help Jonathon Be strong and courageous. Help him to not be afraid; or discouraged, for the LORD God you are with him wherever he goes.”
Prayer is an eternal gift we can give to our children Teach them the importance of prayer and teaching them how to pray.
I am convinced that if we pray for our children and with our children, it will change their lives and ours, and give us insight into the heart of God we can gain no other way.
It takes time to be a parent - to know and to train our children. Every child comes with a set of characteristics already established by God. Our job is to identify those characteristics and then steer the child toward God.
The original root word for "train" is the term for "the palate, the roof of the mouth, the gums." In the days of Solomon, a midwife delivered the baby, dipped her finger into the juice of crushed dates, reached into the mouth of the baby, and massaged the gums and palate to create a sense of taste and thirst. She then gave the child to the mother so the baby could nurse. Our job as mothers is to develop a thirst in our children for the right things. And that takes time.
There is a popular philosophy today that it doesn't matter the quantity of time that we spend with our kids as long as it is quality time. It does matter! Time spent with children is never wasted. Every minute invested in your child is an eternal investment. Give your children the best of your time – not the leftovers.
Play together, read together, eat together, talk to each other. Be involved in the things they enjoy. Be available.
And just your physical presence is not enough.
Being a parent is the hardest job on earth. It brings out both the best and the worst in us. It requires great sacrifice and limitless energy, but to invest your time and best efforts into a child, and to watch that child grow and develop is to be part of the creative majesty God has given to us.
Be intentional in your time with The Lord. The goal is to grow in relationship with him. What specific needs are you praying for your children? What direction are you giving your children? What is the environment of your home?