Last night my seven year old came into my room long after she was supposed to be in bed. “Mommy, ” she said with tear stained cheeks,” I don’t know how to pray? I try to pray, and to listen to God, but I can’t hear Him. And I keep doing bad things like lying. I don’t know what to do.”
I was sitting in bed reading when she came in, so I put down my book and pulled back the covers. I invited her to spend some time with me snuggling and talking about these things. These were the most precious moments of my day.
We talked about John 3:16, assuring her of His place in her heart. We discussed His great big love for her, and how even mommies do things we aren’t proud of. She asked more questions, and I told her that God had a special plan for her life. Then we dreamed about what that might be and I made a promise to her to teach her how to spend time with Jesus. She dried her eyes, hugged my neck and returned to her stuffed animal filled bed.
Ironically, I have been thinking about being more purposeful for awhile now. And then last night, (insert smile) through this time with my heartbroken daughter, the Lord burned it on my heart a little more clearly. See, I spend a lot of time with my girls. I am a firm believer in quantity of time, not just quality time. Most of my training happens as we go about our day. But I have noticed that each time I spend with them in focused purposeful training always yields great rewards. Some things my girls will catch by observation – but other things I have to be purposeful in teaching them.
Jesus did this. He called the 12 to follow Him. He did life with them. He ate, slept, healed and ministered with them by His side 24/7 for about 3 years. But, if we look at the Gospel accounts of His life, we also see Him teaching them on purpose as well. He taught them to pray (good for me to know that even the disciples needed some clarification on this one), He taught them to feed the people, and He taught them to be fishers of men. This is true discipleship. And this is my goal.
So for as long as she needs it, I will be showing my daughter exactly how to have a quiet time. We are going to read a devotion, look up verses, and pray together. My prayer is that she begins to form the habit she will need to feed her soul the rest of her life.
**This post is from a few weeks ago, but I felt like it was perfect for this MODsquad question of the day. The following giveaway is now closed, but the resources are still available through Tommy Nelson.
Have you met Abby from Tommy Nelson? She is the sweetest and has sent me a couple of special books to share with my Abby during her quiet time. The quickest way to a mommy’s heart is to love on her children! So guess what? She wants to love you your kids as well and give you a chance to win a copy of these precious books, too:
Aren’t they adorable? And filled with God’s Word for your little Princess!
(P.S. If you have boys, they have great books for you as well!)
Take a minute to check out Tommy Nelson’s great resources, and leave a comment below telling me how you are being purposeful in your parenting. I will pick one winner for each book through randomizer.org.
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This is a beautiful post Stacey! I am headed to Mobridge today to pick up my mail and finish packing up the old house. When I get there I have a special package waiting for me from Abby, too! She is the greatest 🙂
I am really working hard at being purposeful, too. It is easy to just fly through the day and not really give our girls the attention that they need. This is a great reminder.
stacey … such a beautiful post that i almost felt i was there with you! purposeful, intentional … i’m so glad it’s something that we all seem to be going through and can help each other with.
i think for me … i’m finally AWARE of the fact that i need to be purposeful. it’s weighing on my heart and i’m in the process of finding the best ways i can do that for my family.
thank you for sharing this great giveaway!
Thank you so much for sharing! My son is almost two and in the past few weeks I have really been burdened about being purposeful. Glad to know other mom’s out there are striving for the same thing.
Amber thanks so much for stopping by today! I want to let you know that the earlier you start the better. Tommy Nelson also has great books for boys! If you win, I’ll make sure you get a great devotion for boys. Also, I please check out http://themobsociety.com for a great community of Christian moms who are raising boys!
I hope you will come back again soon and always be encouraged here!
Blessings,
Stacey
being so raw in my heart – where my daughter is now and the journey I will not be able to make with her …
I love your heart for your daughters. Thank you for being so special to them, to me – to all those you touch!!
love ya!
Stef
Sweet friend I am praying for you right now.
what a sweet heartfelt post.
I love your idea of making a mom and me cookbook that is a great keepsake for your girls.
those books look like such sweet books my princess would love.
So glad you like them! It is super easy to make! Trust me, I am not so crafty! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Stacey! I hopped on over here from The Gypsy Mama, and I am so glad to meet you. It looks like we hang out in a lot of the same blog places, so it’s nice to cross paths. I think I’ll enjoy getting to know you and I have just subscribed to your blog and twitter.
In hope,
Shelli
How wonderful to meet you Shelli! Don’t you just love Lisa-Jo? I will be returning that friend request on Twitter and checking out your home blog after church today!
What an incredible teaching moment! Jesus is working on her heart. Thanks for sharing. Count me in for your giveaway!
Beautiful post, Stacey! You’re such a good example for us to follow! ♥ Michelle
This is the book I use in my daily devotions with my daughters! In my vlog I talk about a Sheila Walsh. This is it! My girls love it.
I love this “intentionality.” Sometimes I am reminded of its necessity in the little things–like how to wash your hands (and actually get the germs off). How much more would spiritual things need to be taught?!
We have been struggling over prayer. I take prayer seriously and want my kids to as well. I don’t want it to be cliche or disrespectful; while at the same time I want them to see Him as their Daddy. So I have been teaching them more specifically how to pray and why to pray that way, e.g. praise or forgiveness, etc.
I have also been hit with how they learn by what they see me do. So I pray “for real” when I pray with them. I don’t fluff around. I once heard someone say to pray theologically with your kids. One day it will all sink in.
Thanks for the reminder of intentionality. I am always in process as a mom. 😉
Lara I love this discussion! Prayer is such a life line for me! One of my girls prays in a way that makes me weep it is so rich! Another of my girls is shy about praying with me. Each child is different! I love the idea of praying a similar prayer for them each night ( with special requests thrown in) so it will stick with them.
I’ll have to remember the quote about praying theologically!
Love when you stop by!
Stacey
Dear Stacey, I adored this post and it spoke to my heart.
I believe that God goes before us and makes a beautiful “sacred space” in our hearts for the adoptive parents. And so, I felt nudged to write anyway because
a) I love Sheila Walsh’s writing style
b) I think of my little girl often –who is growing in my heart and I know one day before too long, I will bring her home from India ;).. because with God all things are possible.
c) I believe that we must learn to love our own little girls over on the inside to be the best parents we can be.. *on purpose parenting and so this is what I am learning to do now, before I can be the best Mom to this sweetheart that God has intended for us in his perfect timing.
thank you for letting me share, it feels so magical, and I also want to send an encouragement out there for other adoptive parents who know before they see, that it is just as Real and to never stop believing!
sweet dreams,
hugs, luv Chamilia_
This post reminded me of the first post I did on my newest blog http://faithdevours.blogspot.com/2010/05/her-lessonmy-lesson.html
It amazes me how my God works to grow me while I parent my daughter. While I truly believe we should make the most of every moment God allows us to play, interact, discipline, and communicate with our children…applying scripture, God’s truths, helping them see outside of themselves in situations…I also believe intentional parenting comes when we think they’re not looking or listening…our attitude, our conversations in & out of their presence, our tone of voice, and so on. Are they seeing Jesus in me when I’m not parenting them, but just being me? Wow, how I fail at this at times, but I will continue to press on & aim toward Christ…my example.