Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. -Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work. -C.S. Lewis

When I look at my son, who says something funny or sweet, or even when he’s upset or crying, I see God in his innocence and purity of loving expression. I see less and less of that in adults, including myself, because it’s covered with layers and layers of callouses and scars.

The saying “more is caught than taught,” which I’ve referenced before, really resonates with me. I can’t tell you how many parts of my own personality come from my parents…the good and the bad, just like with any child and their parents.

With each day, I can see mannerisms and sayings from my son that were not explicitly taught through sit-down, how-to instruction, but by example. And this is another message to us from the Lord to straighten up our walk, for it influences our children’s walk!

If you ever wonder how to better raise them, dig deep into His Word. Pray to Him to give you the wisdom and clarity to raise them. He’s the ultimate teacher…and the Lord knows I have plenty to keep learning as a parent!

Our children are on loan to us from the Lord, and it is our privilege, honor, and duty to raise them up to follow a path that glorifies Him with each step–a path we should be treading and modeling for them. And even when we stumble, we can show our children how to take Jesus’ hand and get back on the right path again.

It could be that the greatest glorification to God we do as adults is to raise our children, who will do even greater things in His name. They will be His ambassadors on this earth long after we have have joined the Lord in heaven above.

To say children are a gift from God is no syrupy saying, but the absolute truth. And it is God’s gift, through us, to train them up in the way to walk with Him, and in doing so, our walk with Him becomes ever straighter!

He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. -Hebrews 11:6

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. -John 15:7

When a spacecraft is hurtling through the frightening void of space, the path the spacecraft is on must often be compared to its intended path. And as you might expect, its current path isn’t always the same as the intended path. Evaluations take place, and then calculations are made to employ thrusters, gravity slingshots, and other available methods to correct its course.

With prayer, we can do the same thing when we talk to God: To have the Holy Spirit gently show us where we’re straying from God’s intended course from our lives, and what we must do to get back on course.

Never go for long without checking back with mission control, because even when you think you’re on the right course, you could be off…maybe even way off. And we have the ultimate inerrant source of direction in God’s Word.

Prayer

Father God,

We come before you with thanks and praise. We adore and uplift you, Lord.

Our hearts beat fiercely to make you known to the world. Please help us focus and align our energies and passion through the interests, talents, and skills you’ve given us to brighten this world in your name.

Show us, Lord, how to serve you with reckless abandon as you work through us to fulfill the purpose you have for us in this world, and speak to our hearts if the direction we are taking is not from your inerrant guidance. We never want our desired path to stray from the path you intend for our lives.

We love and praise you, and in Jesus’ holy and powerful name we pray.

Amen.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:6 (NASB)

If there is one thing you can count on while you travel through this world, it is God’s Word. Whenever you feel lost or hopeless, you can always turn to His Word for guidance, hope, grace, strength, peace, joy, and wisdom.

I turn the rest of this post over to make way for an 1857 poem by Scottish minister Norman Macleod. Enjoy.

Trust in God (“Courage, Brother!”)

by Norman Macleod

COURAGE, brother! do not stumble,
Though thy path is dark as night;
There’s a star to guide the humble:
“Trust in God, and do the right.”

Let the road be long and dreary,
And its ending out of sight;
Foot it bravely, strong or weary;
“Trust in God, and do the right.”

Perish “policy” and cunning,
Perish all that fears the light!
Whether losing, whether winning,
“Trust in God, and do the right.”

Trust no forms of guilty passion,
Fiends can look like angels bright;
Trust no custom, school, or fashion,
“Trust in God, and do the right.”

Trust no party, Church, or faction;
Trust no leaders in the fight;
But, in every word and action,
“Trust in God, and do the right.”

Some will hate thee, some will love thee,
Some will flatter, some will slight;
Cease from man, and look above thee;
“Trust in God, and do the right.”

Simple rule, and safest guiding;
Inward peace, and inward light;
Star upon our path abiding:
“Trust in God, and do the right.”

Prayer

Father,

As always, we come before you with thanksgiving and praise, in all circumstances. Thank you for carrying us through this storm.

Give us your guidance as we stand at this fork in the road: Are we to be still and let you do your works before us, or are we to be your hands and feet to act in your name? Are we to persevere through injustice, or be your instruments to gently guide the situation to a just conclusion of your design? Give us clear direction, Father, to navigate these circumstances.

Thank you, Father, for comforting and covering us through these trials. Assure us of your promises, your love for us, and that you hear our prayers…the cries of your children. We know that your plans for us are good, and we trust in your steadfast faithfulness.

We continue to walk in obedience and faith toward your plans for us.

In Jesus’ holy and powerful name we pray.

Amen.