Galatians, Chapter 1

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Galatians 1:3-5, NIV)

A Prayer for My Daughter

Oh God, may my little one never swerve from the Truth. May You bless her with discernment to know what is right and what is Holy from that which is false and that which merely masquerades. May her eyes be opened to You, ...

Lord, and may she be set aside for the work of Your Kingdom. May she be blessed with older, more experienced, wise and godly friends who will disciple and encourage her throughout the many different seasons of her life.

Today, my little one woke up tired and a tad grumpy. Right away, she tested the waters, watching what I would do. But today, covered by prayers and fresh from the Word, rather than responding with my typical firmness, my mouth opened with gentleness. 
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“Make a good choice, little one,” my soft tones encouraged, “choose what is right.” 

In surprise, my little one stopped in mid whine and stared at me.
 
“Mommy,” she asked, eyes wide, “what good choice?” I smiled down encouragingly.

“Make a wise choice, a smart choice with how you choose to behave and start the day. Make me proud, sweetie.”  

Then, I walked down the hallway to make breakfast. One ear listening as I shredded potatoes for hash browns, the sound of pleasant chatter filled the air like a beautiful symphony. The whiny, protesting grumbles ceased and pleasantries emerged when my little girl was forced to stop and make a choice. 

“I have a present for you,” trilled my sweet one, running into the kitchen and thrusting an object at me, “It’s a rock!” ​

Squatting down, I hugged her close. 

“Thank you for my gift, I love it,” I smiled, “and I love that you made a good choice even more. I am so proud of you!” 
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She beamed and bounced on her tip toes, then ran back into the living room to play. 

​Today, I am reminded that sometimes encouragement and gentleness pierces more powerfully then firmness and reprimand. May I hide this truth in my heart and strive to fill my little one with life-giving words and encouragement.

A Prayer for Myself 

​Help me, oh God, to discern how I should respond in each circumstance with my child. Grant me discernment and insight to handle each situation well and to persevere with Godliness. Fill me with the wisdom and knowledge to make good, Godly parenting choices for my little one. Guide me, oh God, that I may hear Your still, soft voice in the midst of the chaos and the noise. Amen.