Once Upon a Time…
Seven years ago today, the Lord planted a seed. He prompted me to start praying scripture for my kids and to share it with others. Friends jumped on board, they shared with others and after a time, the blog page was born.
So much has changed since then. All three of my children are out on their own, two married, all busy working and living life…but not here at home. The house is very quiet. The energy has changed. My own career has shifted gears and I’m semi-retired but focusing more on ministry, teaching Bible studies, and burdened to encourage others in their faith. The one thing that hasn’t changed is the steady prayer. God continues to deepen my walk with Him, strengthen my faith, and to bring others into this community to pray for the next generation. He continues to prompt me to pray for my son and daughters. I’m still a Mom. I’m always going to crave the best for my children and, following God is the very best. God be praised! He is doing a work and He’s not finished!
Let’s go back and see where it all started…
August 1, 2019
Yesterday I read a post where many Moms were honestly confessing their struggle with parenting adult children. I'm one of them. They're adults. They are your children. You are their parent. You can't 'undo' any of those roles, but the way you operate in those roles changes significantly as your children become adults. How do you go from teaching, nurturing and guiding them, wiping noses and kissing boo-boos to ...just not. Well, you still share wisdom, but not in a 'you have to listen to me because I'm your mother' way. You still soothe hurts, but kissing the boo-boo doesn't do the trick anymore.
As I thought about it, the Lord began to form an idea. Praying for our children is so, so important. But praying for our adult children is going to look a bit different. The Psalms is a great place to start. I'm going to begin praying the Psalms for my daughters and son...and in the process, I believe I'm going to begin to understand better how God wants me to relate to, encourage, and share wisdom with them. This week I'm focusing on Psalm 1 and as I work through, I'll share it with you!
verse 1: Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
Prayer: Lord, please protect (insert name) from ungodly counsel. Let them seek out and listen to Godly men and women who seek after you and who have wisdom and knowledge from your Word. Place 'roadblocks' to keep (name) from aligning themselves with those who would lead them astray. Lord, when they encounter sin and those who would entice them, don't let them be attracted by it; don't let them linger, prompt them to keep walking with You because to stop and stand and linger would risk falling. Surround them with Godly friends and mentors. Impress on them the importance of sitting down to fellowship with other Christ-followers. Help them recognize mockers- those who scorn you and speak arrogantly- and give them caution, protection and discernment to guard their heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Amen.
If you’re a long-time follower, thank you! We’ve been praying regularly for 7 years now. I pray this page continues to bless you. If you’re new, welcome! Prayer is vital. Through it, God changes lives. To Him be the glory!
Pray without ceasing, friends!
You Can Always Come Home
“Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.” Psalm 71:3
Home. When we’re tired, it calls to us. When we’re afraid, it surrounds us with safety. When we’re traveling and the days are long, it’s where we most want to go because we know we’ll finally rest and find comfort and relief from the frenzy. It’s where we find peace and respite. Home is a place of belonging and shelter. It’s where those who know you the best, love you the most.
Home is a place of stability, security, and safety, or it should be, and it’s something everyone wants, but not everyone enjoys. Sadly, some can’t describe home as a safe, nurturing place. But we understand the importance of home. If we don’t have it, we long for it and grieve the absence or loss of it. Home is embedded deep in the heart of every person and is a longing that doesn’t fade.
One thing nearly every parent will tell their kids, at some point, is that they can always come home. Whether they just want to spend time with family or if things are not going well and they have nowhere else to turn, home will be there for them. No matter where our kids live or how long they’re away, any time they return to us, they are coming home.
Psalm 71: says, “Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.” Did you notice what God says there? “To which I can always go” Always. At all times. The word for ‘always’ in Hebrew is ‘tamid’ and it means “continually, constant, daily, without interruption, perpetual” (1). How comforting is that? God will always welcome us and give us refuge. He is there, 24/7, throughout every day and night, through every season, throughout the years, an entire lifetime. He was the God that sustained our ancestors in lean years when wars raged and He is the same God who sustains us now. He protected and provided for us when we were in the throes of diapers, bottles, and sleepless nights and He will continue as we wrestle with sleep in the midst of concern for our adult children. We can always, perpetually, constantly and without interruption go to Him for refuge and care. Do our sons and daughters know this? Is it at the forefront of their mind and heart?
When they were little and something bad happened, maybe a scraped knee or hurt feelings, their first thought was, “I need to go home!”. Oh, beloved, our prayer needs to be that it would still be their first thought and that ‘home’ would be in the Presence of their Lord. They need to run to Him for shelter and protection, for comfort and salvation. He is always there, without interruption, ready to welcome them, shelter them, and comfort them.
As we pray for our sons and daughters, let’s ask the Lord to remind them of where to turn when they need safety, security, and reassurance. Let’s pray that Psalm 71:3 becomes their heart’s cry, “Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.”
“Father, You are Almighty God, strong and secure. You make our paths straight. You are the cloud that shields us by day and the fire that lights our pathway by night. You are ever-present and You are Sovereign over all; nothing is out of Your control. What a comfort it is to remind ourselves of that! I pray for (name) today. Holy Spirit, work in (name)’s heart and mind. Remind them of the love their Heavenly Father has for them. He longs for them to come home so He can shelter and protect them. I pray, Lord, that (name) would recognize Jesus as their refuge and shelter, a strong tower that will keep them safe.”
As our world changes, it is growing ever-darker and as believers, we need to be willing to stand up boldly for our faith. As a parent that’s frightening, yet Lord, we dedicated each of our children to You at an early age. They are Yours. Use them. Empower (name) to stand strong, but not on their own strength, but on Yours, Lord. I pray that You would remind them, even today, that this world is not their home, but that ‘home’ is in Your presence, and that You offer belonging, purpose, and protection there, perpetually, daily, without interruption. It is so much more than this world could ever deliver. Lord, open (name)’s eyes to see the value and importance of relying on You in every moment and in finding their home in You. Let (name) always run to You. You are faithful and eternal. You are mighty to save. Be the rock of refuge to which (name) can always run. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
H8548 - tāmîḏ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8548/niv/wlc/0-1/