Delighting in the Design; Read Phil 4:8

As we follow the example of Jesus and strive to see our children through eternal eyes, we may need some practical tools to move us from exasperation to expectancy. Just as Jesse failed to spot his youngest son’s potential (remember I Samuel 16?), we too, can get stuck on our view from this side of heaven. In order to truly “call out” the masterpiece in our children, we may need to spend some time prayerfully pondering the unique design of each one.

Author of Delight in Your Child’s Design, Laurie Sargent says, Take a moment to consider the advice of Phil 4:8. “What in your child is excellent, honorable, and admirable? Fix your thoughts on what is lovely and worthy of praise. The same child who always seems to defy you may someday be able to look a classmate in the eye and say “NO!” when he’s offered a joint. Your extremely shy daughter may be the only one with enough sensitivity to reach the lonely heart of a grandparent who is grieving over the loss of a spouse. It can be refreshing to stop, look at your kids, and listen to them long enough and deeply enough to consider all that is admirable in them.

If you’re feeling frustrated with a piece of your child’s design, ask God to show you that quality through His eyes. Shortly after the Lord had confronted me about my critical spirit with my first born, I found myself watching Luke from the kitchen window. Tearing across the backyard in a full sprint against a boy twice his age, Luke’s fast feet left tread marks in his wake and his clinched fists revealed a determination to BEAT his opponent. Overwhelmed once again by the competitive spirit of my three-year-old, I stood at the window and battled old-familiar feelings of aggravation until God interrupted my musings with a Holy-Spirit prompt. “Pray that those fast feet will chase hard after Me” my son’s Creator seemed to say. And suddenly, I saw a bit of the “David” beneath the stone. It was a simple prayer, but a profound turning point for me. It marked the beginning of my teaming with the Lord to help Lukas live out God’s plan for him, not mine. A simple poem I penned after my moment at the window captured the heart change that God was working in me.

The Chase

I see him in the evening

Watch him jump and chase and run.

Seems his feet were born to race.

They’ve never seen a slower pace.

He chases bugs and butterflies,

Chases clouds in bright blue skies.

He chases sunbeams, chases ants,

Chases Dad with a “can’t catch me” dance.

He chases footballs, friends, and squirrels,

Chases his sister’s blonde head of curls.

And someday, when he’s big and grown,

I know he’ll chase dreams of his own.

But each night with the setting sun,

I’ve just one prayer for my fast-footed son.

I pray that he will wisely choose

To chase after what he cannot lose…

Chase after honesty, chase after grace,

Chase the Author and Perfecter of faith.

Chase after treasures of the heavenly kind,

Chase after purity of word, deed and mind.

Chase after mercy and the truth in God’s word,

Chase after promises always assured.

May he chase after hearts that are hurting and lost,

Chase away pain with the hope of the cross.

And though he will falter; the chase may grow long,

I pray that his steps will stay steadfast and strong.

And may it be said that wherever he trod,

My son chose to chase the whole heart of God.

Today, ask the Potter to guide you in “shaping prayers” as you pray your children through the days to come.

Parent’s Pondering: How can I employ prayer to better partner with the Potter? Using a concordance (check the back of your Bible or go to BibleGateway.com for an electronic concordance), choose a characteristic you want to “pray” over your child, such as “perseverance, wisdom, self-control, humility”; then find a verse that you can memorize and personalize in prayer. Write that verse on an index card and carry it with you this week. Use brief moments of free time- in the car, at work, etc- to pray scripture over your child with great expectation! When we pray God’s own word, we can be confident that we are praying within His will!