"Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it."  Proverbs 22:6

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” Proverbs 22:6


I don’t know about what happens in your home, but in my house “what momma wants momma usually gets”, especially around Mother’s Day.
The majority of the time, what I want is most likely within reason, beneficial, and bathed in prayer. Okay, there are those extravagant moments as well, but for the most part I am a practical kinda girl.
During the sermon last week I jotted down a phrase and shared it with all three of my children. They each read it, and nodded their head in agreement. (Sorry, pastor, that I don’t believe it had anything to do with the sermon that I was definitely listening to…being a light and making God known…, but God whispered a little louder in my ear and I wrote what He told me.)
This little phrase I shared with my children was, “I want you to want what God wants for you.”
Is this too much to ask?
Let’s see if it follows my usual desires:
“Within reason”: this means that my desire is wise, reasonable, with a purpose, and motivating. Whichever synonym you choose to apply will still execute to the phrase I penned. For my children to desire God is definitely wise and with great purpose. Why? In Deuteronomy 5:33 we read, “Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper…” What mom wouldn’t want this for her children? I pray that they will LIVE life to its fullest, the way God intends them to live.
“Beneficial”: Desiring what God wants is just what The Doctor/The Great Physician ordered. He will prescribe you with hope, joy, and peace. Glory! “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
“Bathed in prayer”: Boy oh boy do I pray for my children! When I wake, walk, think, eat, even sleep…Hunter, Holly, and Cole’s names are lifted up to my Heavenly Father. He is The Ultimate Parent. When there are those times I want to just throw my hands up and shake my head, well…that is exactly what I do. I raise my hands to Him. I seek My Daddy’s advice and guidance in raising the children He so graciously gave to me to care for here on earth.
I’d say that this desire is spot on. And the “extravagance” that they will acquire through Christ is WOW! Incredible!
One of my all-time “go-to” “favorite” verses is found in Psalm 37:4 “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” I’ve discovered in life that when we find joy in the Lord, He IS our desire.
Let’s take a look at a few things that GOD WANTS:

God wants everyone to be saved and to fully understand the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4

So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. 17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. John 7:16-17

Always be full of joy. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

God wants you to be holy. (verse 3) 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7

We even see what God DOES NOT WANT:

He does not want us to live in sin. (verse 7) 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7

Yes, I desire for my children to:

  • fully understand the truth and not believe the lies that the world will dangle in front of them
  • do the will of God and not their own
  • always be full of joy
  • never stop praying
  • always be thankful
  • live holy lives
  • and WANT WHAT GOD WANTS!

Amen.
I pray that you will enjoy soaking up The Son every moment of each day. –Stephanie
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