“Yet though He did all this for them, they continued to test his patience. They rebelled against the Most High and refused to follow his decrees. They turned back and were as faithless as their parents had been…” (Psalm 78:56-57 NLT).
I’m not sure what kind of childhood you were given, but mine was filled with wonder, love, peace and innocence. I had the greatest family, the perfect place to grow up and continual opportunities to be filled with the message of Christ from the time I was born. I realize not everyone has been blessed in this way.
As great as my growing up years were, I want even better for my son. No, not more things, but a greater sense of being loved, more amazement and the ability to be a kid for as long as he possibly can.
Parents are like that, aren’t they? We always want better for our kids than we had. This verse really puts that into perspective for me—I don’t want Isaiah to have my level of faith, I want to see him excel in his Christian walk, grow strong in his commitment to the Lord and never give in to Satan’s tricks and tactics.
I want him to have a deeper love for Christ than I possess. I want to see him reach out and grab hold of more blessings than I’ve chosen to partake of. I desire that he be filled to overflowing, at all times and in all ways, with volumes of peace and joy—-the stuff I’ve allowed to slip through my fingers as I’ve reached for the world’s offerings. I want to witness my child experience miracles because of his faith in the Lord, not in himself or in his abilities, not like his mother has chosen to opt out of.
I want more for my child than I’ve experienced—in so many ways.
Malinda Edgell
Illinois
PRAY TOGETHER: Thank the Lord for godly fathers. Ask God to strengthen commitment and devotion within the men in your church and burden them with the responsibility to be father-figures and godly mentors for all who need dads.
