Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
by Vanessa White
Recently I came across some old devotionals I had written to my children and some prayers they wrote and wrote down some things we had discussed.
During family bible time, I would give my kiddos markers, crayons, a stack of thick scrapbooking paper, and some writing paper to draw they would choose from the pile of paper they would prefer to use. They would do copy work of either a kid’s devotional or just statements I had written.
We did this even when they could barely hold a pencil; they started as scribbling and sometimes would be playing; it may have seemed as if they were not paying attention, but the truth is their spirit was listening intently.
We would pray, and never did I think they were too young to understand God’s Word; I would ask the LORD to lead us and teach us what He wanted us to know. We came to God with childlike faith.
I would read scripture, and then I would talk about it in a way they could understand. I would write down my thoughts, and we would talk about the things of God, and I would ask them simple questions. For example, how does God want us to live?
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” {1 Timothy 4:12}
As young girls and boys, you are called to set an example and to be wise about how you live your lives. God’s Word tells us it does not matter how old we are.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t keep them away. The kingdom of heaven belongs to people like them.” {Matthew19:14}
So don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young; God loves you so much. Throughout the Bible, God has used people of all ages. We have all been given a ministry, including you, precious children.
You can call out to God today and every day. You’re never too young to talk to God or too old. Look deep into your heart and the heart of others. There is always an opportunity to show kindness, respect, and goodness.
Sometimes all people need is a smile. You can bring a smile to someone’s face by simply being kind; you can pray for your classmates and tell them they did a great job on their projects at school. And if you need help being kind and thinking of good words to say, all you have to do is ask God. He promises to help us when we ask Him. Let’s be Princesses and a Prince for our KING JESUS♥ may our lights shine so bright.
And then I would bless my children, each one of them.
I’m not a great mother; I did not figure this out all on my own; there were so many times I fell on my knees knowing that I am insufficient in and of myself. I had nowhere to go; this verse echoed in my heart John 6:68-69, “Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.” and I was a young military wife in foreign countries; we moved quite a lot. It was hard ever to feel settled in; I desperately would cling to the Lord.
My precious children are my mission field, and I know I fail miserably as a mother and wife. It is hard, gut-wrenching at times, and the most challenging part is dying to myself and all my selfish desires. Oh, but God and His extravagant love and His endless grace, His absolute tenderness that brings me to my knees. A heart of repentance and a broken, contrite heart God will not despise.
He is the Almighty God, Everlasting Father, The eternal King who Reigns Forever! Lord of Lords, King of Kings, the only one who makes this heart sing.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We glorify Your mighty name, LORD; You are God of Heaven, LORD of Hosts. You have plans and purposes to prevail. You see every Mother and every Mother’s heart; as women, You have given us the gift of tenderness and nurturing. Strengthen every Mother, equip them for all the tasks that are ahead. Give them courage, bravery to be set apart for Your glory; give them all the strength they need to raise godly children in a perverse, crooked world all for Your glory.
Put a hedge of protection, a wall of fire all around our children and the youth. Give the youth courage to stand for righteousness. Raise up more goldy families to share the good news of the gospel and generations which does what is right in the sight of the Lord. Empower us and equip us, enable us to do the good works you have called us to do. We love You and thank You for all that You are. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Awating His Return,
