Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Forgiveness

“May (our sons) be kind to others, tenderhearted, and forgiving others as        You in Christ forgave him.”  Ephesians 4:32
We are working really hard right now on using KIND words with each other.  Out of my seven children I have a huge age diversity still at home.  We have a 20 yo girl, 13 yo boy, 10 yo boy and 8  yo girl.  That mix tends to leave a lot of room for grumpy, fussy, not nice moments.  Those moments often include mom and dad, because on some days - we have just had ENOUGH!  (Do you remember those days? or maybe you have those days now!  Those ENOUGH days!!!)
I think it is always good for them to express themselves, but trying to teach them the right way is not always easy.  Different personalities add to the grand mix of "not nice-ness". 
However, we do practice a whole bunch of forgiveness.  It's a requirement when they have been "at it" again, that they apologize, offer love and forgiveness to each other.  It always takes two (sometimes more) to begin the trouble anyway.  So apology, love, forgiveness is practiced often here.
I pray Father God, that my children, my sons and daughters will always know Your forgiveness. Because Your forgiveness is life changing!!!  And I pray that they will learn to offer grace and forgiveness to each other, especially those in their family that are there through thick and thin!  Thank You for loving Your children so much and for always extending mercy and grace to us.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Integrity

“But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.” Psalm 26:1

Today's prayer for our sons is so very vital.  Integrity is something that is rarely talked about these days, and even far less is it displayed! 

I'm very thankful that my husband has been a man of integrity during our marriage.  It has given me great discussions with my sons and daughters.  If our children are to have and walk in integrity, we must live it out before them.  They need to know that what we do, where we go, what we say, what we watch and listen too... all fits under living a life of integrity.

I remember years ago, I visited my husbands office with some of the kids.  He was a manager at that point and had his own office.  I remember one of the ladies in the office making a comment to me, that he was a "good man" and that he always was so careful of appearances when dealing with women.  

We as a couple, had already early in our marriage had the discussion of what to do if we were in ever in situations when we had to be alone with someone of the opposite sex.  As much as we tried to prevent that scenario, it inevitably happened in his line of work.  I was a great feeling to know that he was living up to what we discussed, even though it was possible I wouldn't have ever known.

There are things almost every day that we can use as a "teachable moment".  Do your sons understand how important their integrity is, do your daughters?  Are you making a conscience effort to show them and teach them by the life you life?  

Jesus please help me to walk with integrity in all that I do.  May my life exemplify to my children, both daughters and sons, how important living a life of integrity is.  Amen.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Obedience!

May (he) walk after You, God, and fear You and keep Your commandments and obey Your voice. May he serve You and hold fast to You (Deuteronomy 13:4).

I want my sons to be obedient because they want to be.  I want them to do what is required of them because they love me and their dad.  I want them to follow God's word because their hearts belong to Him and because they believe it is what will make their life whole and complete.


Jesus, please help me to shape my young men into obedient young men.  May they want to keep Your commandments and follow Your Word, because they want to, because they have a holy "fear" of You.  Show them that obedience is a sign of strength and not of weakness.  Help them to know that those who truly love them will never abuse their obedience.  May these young men serve You and hold to You all the days of their life.  


Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Turning Hearts

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Ezekiel 36:26 – 27 (NIV)

One thing that I have learned over the years of being a mom, is that nothing we do, makes any difference if our children's hearts are not turned to God.  

We must set standards, discipline, give wisdom and guidelines - say NO! (By the way mom and dad, it really is ok to say NO!) We are given the task to protect our children from things we know will hurt them, bad environments, bad friends and bad situations.  We must parent!  However, in that parenting, if we are not praying - begging God to change the hearts of our children we are failing them.  

There is however, this thing called free will that get's in our way - because just as the Father who loves us more than life allows us to choose, we must also watch our children choose.  And our prayer is that God will change their heart to a new heart - a soft and fleshy heart totally surrendered to Him.  But there will be those children who fight it with all their might.  I know!  I have had one.  

Regardless of what we see, our knees remain bent to the One who can work the best for our children.  

Jesus, I pray for my sons (and daughters) that you will give them hearts fresh and new.  Take any hardening of their hearts and turn it towards You.  I pray that You guide me and give me wisdom on how to steer them towards you.  Show me how to impart Your Word into their daily lives. May they have long days, because they follow your commands! Amen.

Just for my girls:  
Guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23