Mom Heart Moments #213

I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.

I HAVE A HEART TO TRAIN my children in righteousness, and my focus is on winning their hearts and instructing their minds. I want them to love God with their whole hearts, not just to obey rules, so they won’t be obeying on the outside but rebelling on the inside. Works and performance are not my goal; a transformed and inspired heart is my goal. Jesus accomplished that by cultivating a deep, loving, and committed relationship with His disciples. They all loved and respected Him so much, as He served them so generously, that they wanted to follow Him even to death. They believed in Him and wanted to serve Him out of loving and transformed hearts.

I want my children to love righteousness and truth and beauty, so I come along beside them as an advocate, morning, noon, and night, to instruct and show and help them.

And so, when Joy called yesterday and I could understand that she needed my ear, my time, my encouragement, and my attention, I knew what to do. The grid through which I had learned to practice life told me she is my priority. I had to take that time, right then, that moment, because today is the day to parent. She will not be with me always, but I have her this day, to love and serve her and to point her to the God who will always be with her and who has a plan for her life.

Do you have a heart-grid created by God that is determined to put others at the center of your priority list? How can you respond to your children in such a way that they feel valued and loved by you, as they are by Him?