Prayer Prompt #35: They Will Have Their Own Testimony

“I have committed them to the LORD. They will have their own testimony.”  

I thought about this parenting wisdom from a dear friend long after our visit together ended.  I thought I had committed my children to the LORD - but had I, really? Had I really let go of trying to control their picture perfect futures? Let them go to make mistakes? Let them go and trusted the LORD with them, no matter if they faced hardship or illness - no matter what?

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was the ultimate example of this.  She knew from his infancy that Jesus would “be a sign that will be spoken against” and that “a sword [would] pierce [her] own soul too” (Luke 2:34-35). Can you imagine the pain of her mother-heart as she watched her dear Child be tortured and killed - and she could not stop it, she could not protect Him from it? He was born to die -- can you imagine being a mother knowing that your child was born to die? I can barely write the words without shedding tears at the mere thought of it.

So I have to ask myself again: have I committed my children to the LORD?  My friend already told me the consequence of this kind of faith, and it’s a glorious one: they will have their own testimony.  

What if my child becomes a prodigal? They will have their own testimony.

What if they rebel? They will have their own testimony.

What if they make a big, irreversible mistake? They will have their own testimony.

What if they are hurt by circumstance, people they had trusted, or physical illness? They will have their own testimony.  

Remember way back in Prayer Prompt #13 we prayed that our children are not really ours: we love and care for them in stewardship on behalf of their Creator?  It’s time to take up that mantle again.

Dear LORD, I acknowledge again that the children I have are children that YOU have given me: they were and still are Yours first, mine second, mine in stewardship.  I embrace my role to nurture, love and bring them up in the training and instruction of the LORD, but I acknowledge that I ultimately cannot control their lives. And so, by faith, I now commit my children to You and trust You with their lives and their futures. I know that no one loves them more than You do. For every mistake, every bruise, every hardship - give them a testimony, a glorious testimony that will magnify their Creator. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer Prompt #34: Rotten Fruit

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

Patience may be the fruit of the Spirit that shocks me the most.  Sometimes I am shocked at the supernatural patience God gives me with my children.  “You dropped the 500-count box of toothpicks on the floor? Accidents happen! Let’s all get dustpans and brooms and clean it up together.”

Other times I am shocked at my impatience over the tiniest things. “Put on your shoes. Put on your shoes. PUT ON YOUR SHOES!!!”  It’s like the patience part of my spiritual fruit rots. Fruit flies and a half a worm when you bite into the apple kind of rot!

Sometimes patience is painful! The King James Version of Galatians 5:22-23 translates patience as longsuffering.  Yes, sometimes it feels that way to parents -- including our Heavenly Father! -- and knowing how patient He is with me makes me want to reflect that part of His character to my children too.

Dear LORD, when I look back over my own life, I am amazed by the patience You have shown me.  There have been so many times when You could have given up on me, so many times when You could have been exasperated and mad, but instead you have patiently helped me back on my feet and given me another chance . . and another . . . and another.  Strengthen this part of my character too so that I can express patient love to my children in all circumstances. In this and all things, make me more like You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer Prompt #33: Sacrificial Motherhood

I’ll never forget a teary phone call made to a friend when I was a new mom of a newborn who basically never slept.

“What do you do when he’s crying all night and you don’t get to sleep?” I’m not exactly sure what I expected, but it was probably along the lines of either a load of sympathy or a plug-and-chug solution. I got neither.

“I consider it an opportunity to be made more like Christ,” was her answer.

Whoa! Didn’t see that one coming - but it was the right response!

There is a legitimate need for mothers to take time for self-care and replenishment, particularly by receiving from the LORD.  But there can also be a tendency for this mother to just get good and cranky when I feel like I’m sacrificing too much or that I deserve a nice break from my more difficult motherhood responsibilities.

But I’ll tell you honestly: every single time I’ve brought this complaint before the LORD, His response is the same: I’m called to live a crucified life that puts the needs of others above my own (see Galatians 2:20 and Philippians 2:4).  He doesn’t allow me to justify my selfishness but instead He promises that His grace is sufficient for me because His power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:19).

And yes, there are breaks and “me time” and refreshment too -- but I’m learning to see these as my blessings rather than my rights. And there’s a big difference in that.

Dear Jesus, help me embrace the sacrifice in the sacrificial calling of motherhood.  Help me to daily plug in to the grace and power You freely offer in my weakest moments so that I can rise above my own crankiness and walk in Your victory.  Make my heart more beautiful as I find joy in sacrificially loving my children as You love Yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer Prompt #32: Promises for Parents (Part 3)

Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.

Proverbs 14:26 (NIV)

My toddler runs to me with tear-streaked cheeks. A stubbed toe, a scraped knee and a fall on the tile floor all have the same remedy: the security of mommy's embrace, time to be held and rocked in her lap, words of comfort softly spoken into tiny ears until the tears dry and he is ready to take on the world again.

He is two years old. Mommy is his comforter; my arms, his refuge. Yet someday he will be too big to fit in my lap and too old to show me every tear. But he will never outgrow God, and the Father's everlasting arms will always be big enough, His words of peace always the perfect remedy. Someday it will no longer be me but the LORD who is his refuge.

Dear Jesus, may my life demonstrate to my children what it looks like to make You my fortress. May my troubles cause me to call on the name of the LORD and send me running to my strong tower, where I am safe (Proverbs 18:10). Thank you that what I build through my reverent hope in You will become a lasting refuge for my children. In Jesus’ name, amen.