Bound By Your Love

Dear God,

Please comfort my heart and give me complete understanding and assurance... In this spiritual family where we belong with Christ, I should feel that I am rich in love and compassion. Instead, some of the people are critical, cold, and self-serving... That hurts, Lord.

To be honest, You have seen me in my ugliest moments -- or when I myself am critical and outright bad. During these times I am reminded afterwards that it is my pride that more oftenly causes me to become critical of others. These people are my spiritual family, God. By finding fault in them I am setting a poor example of how to belong.

Real love is kind, not prideful or self-serving. God please fill me with compassion for my fellow Christians so that I may be a godly example of love and understanding -- especially to my DS and DD. There is nothing more that I want, than to emulate your Son, Jesus.

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart
and united in love,
so that they may have the full riches
of complete understanding,
in order that they may know the mystery of God,
namely, Christ...
Colossians 2:2

Your Everlasting Strength

Dear God,

Just how long is everlasting...? A million years...? A billion years...? A mega gazillion...? I cannot fully comprehend that length of time. And I know that my time is measured in hours, days, years, and sometimes even in minutes. Truly, the thought of "everlasting" is so vast, I cannot understand it. Explaining eternity to my DS and DD is almost impossible as I myself, could not totally grasp it.

But I can trust in You, Father, because Your strength never ever fails. It is here for all eternity. You do not weaken like I do. You are omnipotent...

The heroes that the world admire today have weaknesses. But not You, Lord. You are perfect. Your strength is everlasting. I want my DS and DD to trust You as their only hero -- their only all-wise, all-powerful, all-sufficient, mighty protector -- the One they can trust in forever and ever. I praise You, my God.

Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD,
the LORD himself,
is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26:4

Thank You Father

Dear God,

Thank You for cleansing me of my evil ways and allowing me to come out of the darkness of sin and into the light of Your salvation. If I had nothing else for which to be thankful, that would be enough. I am so blessed to be one of Your children. Thank You, Father, that many of my friends and some of my family members have found this new life in You.

I am grateful that I have the opportunity to teach my DS and DD the truths found in Your Word. I am trusting that You will open their spiritual understanding. I am looking forward to the day they will truly understand what it is to accept You as their personal Lord and Savior, and be "partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." From that day forward I will have something else for which to thank You.

...and giving joyful thanks to the Father,
who has qualified you to share in the inheritance
of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
Colossians 1:12

Bearing The Burden

Dear God,

When you were in the garden, You prayed to have the cup of suffering taken from You. You understood sorrow, temptation, and all that we suffer here on Earth. Yet You also said in Lke 22:42, "Not my will but thine be done.""

A mother's burden can truly be heavy too, Jesus. There are days when I don't know how much longer I can go on. I try to hide this from my DS and DD, of course... So they won't get hurt too, but sometimes I just can't. The choices they sometimes make in their own lives may depend on the way I handle trials too.

Your Word says that You will provide a way of escape. You help us carry our burdens. There are others who have carried the same weight before me, and I know I must be strong. I want to lean on You, Father. Then I can also teach my DS and DD the joy of being able to trust in You completely.

No temptation has overtaken you
except what is common to mankind.
And God is faithful;
he will not let you be tempted
beyond what you can bear.
But when you are tempted,
he will also provide a way out
so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

Instruction From Dad And Mom

Dear God,

When my DS or DD don't listen to me, I get so angry. I know I should be firmer with them and make them mind me, not ignore me, most especially at home. But sometimes, perhaps out of pure exhaustion from work, or maybe because I am sometimes too tired to get mad, my desire to discipline them melt away.

But what am I teaching them by doing this, I often reflect....? That's the problem. By allowing such leniency, I am giving them the idea that they don't have to abide by the rules. When they are grown, -- which time brings on very fast, -- they might believe that You don't require them to follow Your absolutes.

Lord, please give me the wisdom and strength in my instruction to my DS and DD. Please help me to be firm and consistent when I need to be, yet tender and giving as Your teaching allows. Guide me in how to show love for You and Your laws as well... Amen.

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Proverbs 1:8