Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Day One -- OBEDIENCE

I have been waiting with bated breath for this day.  I feel like a kid on Christmas morning!  Filled with anticipation and excitement for what I’m going to open with each new gift.  Except this time it means something…more.  This time, the gift is not about me.  It’s about my sons, my future son-in-law, my nephews.  And perhaps why this day, this gift of praying over specific areas for these special guys, has me so shouting from the rooftops is because these sweet boys are the next generation of leaders.  And let’s face it – they need these prayers now more than ever before.

Today, and for the 20 days that follow, I will be covering my sons – Hudson (6), Hunter (almost 5), and Easton (2) – as well as the future husband to my daughter, Samantha (8) – and my six nephews (6 years to 6 months) – in prayer. 

They ARE the future leaders, and I want them to be strong godly men who seek the Lord out for guidance, and who hold Him in their heart with every decision and choice they make, and who actively work to glorify God for the blessings he’s given them.

Specifically and often, pray for your children.  In the leader’s guide, Melissa Mashburn of www.godlygals.com  said, “…from the littlest things to the biggest you could ever imagine.  Even when you make their lunches for school…Let them see you praying for them.”  And pray WITH your children.  Make it part of your routine – at meals, at bath time, bedtime, in the car, before a game or test.  They learn how to talk to HIM through us – teach them!!

SO, are you ready to PRAY?!?!  Grab your Warrior Prayers eBook and turn to page 13:  The Importance of Obedience.

Who hears the word “obedience”, and cringes?  In the leader’s guide, Brooke says, “I’ve heard it said that if a man can’t submit to Jesus, he will never be able to lead a woman (Tommy Nelson, Love & Romance Conference).  No pressure, right moms?”  Oh boy.

Whoever has my commands and OBEYS them, he is the one who loves me.  He who loves me will be loved by my Father; and I too will love him and show myself to him.”  John 14:21

Obedience and submission to authority is a normal part of life – it’s a REAL part of life.  There isn’t a day to come in our sons’ lives where they won’t have to submit to someone or something.  I love the last line in the 4th paragraph down… “Training them now to respect authority and submit to it sets them up for success of the greatest kind.”  In other words, let them learn to obey at home – and this means letting them fail at obedience at home, too, so that you can guide them and lift them back up lovingly. 

We are trying so hard to remind our children daily that when they disobey mom or dad, they are disobeying God.  And likewise, when they obey us, they are obeying HIM!  (If you’ve never said this to your kids before, try now!  It’s like a light bulb goes off! )

Training our sons to obey their parents is NOT an option.”  Wow.  SO TRUE!  And so daunting, too!  But here’s the truth – obeying God is intimately linked to loving HIM!  See that italicized portion at the bottom of page 13?  WOW!  I may just memorize this and share it over and over and over again with my children.  And what a great reminder to me, too. 

No matter how hard you try to be good and obey…you just can’t get it right all the time.  That’s why we love God so much!  He knew you couldn’t do it by yourself!  He knew you would choose to sin instead of obey!  … So He sent His only Son Jesus to die for your sins and take the punishment…We need JESUS! 

I think the study questions asked on pg. 14 are such great things to think about.   Let me share a few of my answers with you.
2.) Do you have a plan for teaching your son(s) obedience?  Or are you more of a “fly by the seat of your pants” kind of parent?
We try to operate with the logical consequences idea – a great resource for this is Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours by Kevin Lehman, or Spiritual Parenting by Michelle Anthony.  For example, if you don’t get off the computer when you’re told to, you’ll lose the privilege next time.  Or if you throw the truck, the truck will be taken away.
5.)  Are there any discipline practices you’ve been using that need to be tweaked in order to better reflect the Gospel message?
I think it’s REALLY important to ALWAYS be tweaking your discipline practices, since we should always be learning new things through the Word.  Our children are dynamic, ever-changing individuals, and we need to continue to seek God’s counsel and direction in disciplining them.
How about you?  Any answers you would like to share?  Post in the comments below or on the facebook group page. 

On page 14, there are 10 prayers to pray for your sons today.  You could get up early to bathe your sons in prayer first thing in the morning, or you could pray these prayers one at a time throughout the day.  You could also make the prayers a part of your family devotion, praying these prayers out loud over your sons – let them hear these words cover them!  Or spend some time in prayer late at night. 

If there is anything we can pray for you about, please share it!  It is my honor to lift these prayers up on your behalf.  And I will be asking God to give you strength as you persevere in this challenge.  I will also be praying for God to move in the hearts of these boys.  As we pray for our sons, don’t forget to examine your own heart – don’t forget to ask your Savior to help YOU live out His great love for us.  They won’t know how valuable it is unless they see it in you!

"Children obey your parents in the Lord..." - Ephesians 6:1

3 comments:

Sharla said...

This is a big one for us. I have one very obedient child and one very stubborn and strong willed child. Since my oldest has always wanted to please us and easily obeys, I have struggled with the second to know how to teach him. We do use the logical consequences approach too. I have not read those books, so I will have to check them out. We borrow one of the rules from their school classroom rules which is, obey immediately and completely.

Unknown said...

I have been trying to find a group to join. well, I found your post today really exact and touched my heart. I will be following here, reading and praying with you.

I am a Homeschooling Missionary Mommy of three boys ages 12,11, and 10.

It seems we are in a whole new territory now. I need all the help I can get, and I am praying all day for wisdom and for them to grow into Great Men of God inspite of my failures.

Dani Joy
www.gospel2gijon.blogspot.com

Alyssa said...

Sharla -- I have the same struggle. Our oldest was very compliant as a young child, and our 2nd was the epitome of a strong-willed child. We require 1st time obedience, as well. There are no exceptions.

Dani Joy -- I'm so glad you are here! Lifting you and your sons up in prayer -- aren't you so thankful that we can call on Him to help us in this? I know that I cannot do this alone!!!