This morning as I was praying for each of my girls the Lord reminded me that standing in the gap for my children is not only a privilege, it is a necessity. I have learned over the years how to more effectively pray and listen to God in regards to my girls. I remember clearly when I realized that He actually loves them more than I ever could. As simple as that sounds, it was a turning point for me. I had a wonderful woman in my life that spoke that truth clearly to me. She told me that if I was not careful I could find myself making my girls an idol instead of a gift. That truth has helped me learn what standing in the gap means.
As I was looking through my Bible this morning, I started reading all of the scripture that I have marked with my girl's names on it. Over the years as I have prayed over and for my girls, I started marking the verse the Lord gave me and putting the date and the name of the daughter it referred to. As I looked through these scriptures this morning, I was reminded that God's love and His providence are poured out on my girls through His Word and His blessings; not mine. It was such a blessing to be reminded yet again of how much He loves them.
All of my daughters communicate very differently. They receive my words and instruction very differently also. When the older two were in high school, I was struggling with how to communicate effectively to their different personalities. My oldest was open to a good long talk. She was willing to listen and to discuss her life. My middle daughter is not an open communicator. She is not a curl up on the bed and share a good cry type of girl. So, I started writing my thoughts to her. We never talked about my notes, but every morning for one year I wrote a note to her on index cards. Sometimes I told her a story. Sometimes I told her how proud I was of her. Sometimes I shared my devotion with her. But every day I started with the date and her name and ended with a scripture and love, Mom. I put them on her pillow every morning and sometimes I would find them on the floor or on her night stand. I never commented on them and I just kept writing day after day. When we were packing up her room for her to move to her college dorm, I noticed that there were no notes laying around. My heart was sad. Then I saw a little box sitting next to her bed. When I opened the box, there were all her notes. They were stacked neatly in order and put away for safe keeping. My heart smiled.
I love spending time with each one of my girls. I love hearing their stories and sharing in their triumphs. I love when they share their hurts and pains with me. I love when they open their hearts to me. I love shopping with them. I love to go fun places with them. I love just watching a good movie or TV show with them. But more than any of those perks of being a mom, I treasure the privilege of standing in the gap for them. The blessing of praying for them each morning. The knowledge of knowing that they have a relationship with Jesus.
God has a plan for their lives. I get to be the one that helps them learn how to see it. God wants to guide them. I get to be the one that reminds them of His promises. God wants to protect them. I get the opportunity to pray His hedge of protection around them. God wants to bless them. I can choose to be the voice that speaks His blessings over them. God has a purpose and a calling on their lives. I get to stand in the gap for them as they figure out what that is. God wants them to have a relationship with Him that has nothing to do with me. I get to bow my knee and get out of the way as He becomes all they will ever need.
I remember my mother's prayers
and they have always followed me.
They have clung to me all my life.
~Abraham Lincoln
No comments:
Post a Comment