As any of you with children know, life can get crazy. There are games to play, books to read, forts to build and boo boos to kiss. There are also meals to make, laundry to wash, messes to clean and baths to give. Life is made up of moments of chaos and tender, precious memories all wrapped into a 24 span of time we call a day. Sometimes it's hard to be still and listen, but when I am, the Lord stirs in my heart a prayer for each of these babies - a prayer that can only come from a mother's heart. It's in these moments that two verses play over and over in my mind like the melody of a favorite song. It's these verses that have become very specific prayers for my children and the man and woman they will become.
"Let you light shine before other, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16
Eli is like the blast of cold air you get when walking by an air conditioned building on a sultry summer day An unexpected yet refreshing burst of energy, he goes strong all day long. Whether he's playing ball, cars, ball, monster trucks or ball (see a theme here) he's always busy, but his spirit captivates you and draws you into a world of enchanted boyhood. Yes, Eli is a light that lures people in. The Lord has blessed this child with many talents-specifically a natural athletic ability. My prayer is for him to always use those abilities for the glory of God, that he will be more known for his spirit than his swing, his heart than his "heat," and his purity than his pitch. Above all, my prayer is that his light will shine before man so that his Father in Heaven may be glorified.
"Above all else guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life." Proverbs 4:43
When I found out I was having a precious daughter, I began to pray this verse for her life. In our culture, little girls don't stay little for long. Gone are the days of baby dolls, twirly skirts, and bouncy curls. They have been replaced by cell phones, bikini's and straighteners. Our precious girls are bombarded with images of the world's view of womanhood. They are taught that pretty doesn't cut it, but sexy does. They are taught that innocence is a sign of weakness, and cruelty is a sign of coolness. They see this played out on television, on the internet and on the cover of every magazine stand in the supermarket. I know I can't shield Ellie from seeing these images, but I can ask the Lord to protect her heart. Today my girl is sweet. She is untainted. She is whole. My prayer is that she will always guard her heart for from it flows the true beauty, grace, and essence of womanhood.
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children,talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 11:18-20
My final prayer is that I will hide these words in my own heart, that I might raise these babies for the glory of the Lord that they may grown to love Him, serve him, and live whole-heatedly for Him.
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