I talked to a mom friend on the phone this afternoon, and we both marveled about how even with the things we'd kind of messed up along the way, we can clearly see God's work in our children's lives. We both have older teens who love Jesus.
When children are very young, they learn about who Jesus is through you. We bring them to church, pray with them, answer questions, read to them about Goliath and David, tell them about the miracles, have car conversations, and pour the living Word into their hearts. They see Him in our lives, through what we watch, what we read, and the choices we make.
When they are young, it's you holding one hand of your child and Jesus holding the other.
And then they get older.
The conversations continue: matured now, about bigger things, deeper things. You still take them where they need to be, but they're no longer driven by you but the Light that burns brightly in them.
When this post was unfolding inside of me, God gave the words, "Can I have this dance" for the title.
Seeing the same Holy Spirit that has led you, begin to lead your child, is one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed.
"Can I have this dance?"
There will be a nudging, a knowing to when and how to pull back, let them take wobbly but sure steps toward the Throne. You'll wait for them to give you an answer instead of providing one. Encourage them to take authority over a situation and joining them rather than jumping in first.
You will watch as they wrestle, study, discern, and train their ear to hear His voice.
You'll continue to pray for them as they also learn to pray for themselves, family, their friends, and blaze their own direct line to the Father. You will help them learn to test the spirit and clap your hands as they do it on their own, their discernment growing. You'll see it in their eyes: a burning, a passion, excitement, a love, a gratitude for God as they begin to know Him as their very own.
It's a breathtaking. It's glorious. It will have you praising and thanking God. Especially if you've walked through dark nights of the soul with this child.
To see them filled with peace and confidence rooted in the the Messiah, Yeshua...words can't describe.
You'll know, like I did when it's time.
I still drive. We still have our talks and pray together. We have theological discussions. And now we share Bible memes. Discuss the meaning of verses.
It changes when your child takes both hands of the Lover of their soul, but for the good as they were never fully yours. We steward, we don't own.
To the ones with little babies, keep guiding and directing. Point their leafy boats in the right direction and steer. Take them to that service even if make it out of the house by the skin of your teeth. Read to them the words of the One who fearfully and wonderfully made their entire being and knew them before we did. Walk hand in hand with your small one: Jesus on one side, you on the other. Keep it up. God sees your efforts and they matter.
You do not do it alone when you do it with God. In Matthew 18:20 Jesus said, "Where two or more are gathered, I will be in their midst." People sometimes say this applies only to congregations, but do you not think He is there are bedtime when you pray with your child? Right beside the two of you? He is.
The seeds you are planting today will be the lush leaves and ripe fruit of tomorrow.
You're never doing it on your own. For just as Jesus authors and finishes our faith, He does the same with theirs.
And believe me when I say, never stop praying for your child.
Love, Bunmi
"But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; forof such is the kingdom of heaven.'"
-Matthew 19:14
The promises of God begin and end with Yeshua, Jesus, because He is the reconciliation. If you've been walking through life on your own and want to be a child of God, you want Him by your side through it all, here's how to begin.
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