Prayer Encouragement: “No Greater Joy” by SkyMom, Terrie Chevaillier

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4

As I was praying for my boys this verse came to mind.  I looked ahead at our summer and was thankful there were some areas where their knowledge of the truth could grow regarding things we had signed up for.

You know how you start thinking about summer soon after Christmas? The sign up sheets for this camp and that activity seem to just flood the inbox and take home folders.

During this season leading up to summer, I often find myself anxious.  That bombardment of feeling that creeps in telling me my child is going to miss out if we don't sign up. Everyone else is signing up. Spots are filling fast.  What if they loose some of their skills because their mom did not sign them up?

I asked myself this question.  What gives me joy as a mom to see my kids doing? What gives them joy?   As I recently wrote, it gave me joy to know that my oldest son was headed to Sky Ranch this summer to work and serve.  That season of sign ups for him were in the past. Now, he was signing himself up for bigger choices and opportunities. Other than signing a check for college tuition, my opportunities to sign for him were few.  However, I found joy as I know he is signing up to walk in the truth.  That talking and walking was now being played out on the real life stage.

Did I have these same pre summer anxious moments with him?  I did.

Now for the two younger boys still at home....what was going to bring me greater joy for them this summer? Most definitely our sign up for Sky Ranch.  Opportunity for truth. Priceless.
A mission opportunity for both boys with church. Opportunity for truth. We signed up the first day registration opened.

I had about three of the eleven weeks signed up for truth building. I was joyful about those weeks.  But what about the other eight?  My joy started to shift to anxiety.  At that moment, I would have told you that my greatest joy would be seeing them busy.  Busy with sports. Skills training. Lessons. Academic prep. Not bad things. Not at all bad things. But my great joy was diminishing as I laser focused on these things.  Truth can be walked out on a lacrosse field or baseball field. Without a doubt it can.

But where was my trust? God's perfect plan for them or my fretful plan?
I realize my joy as a mom does come from seeing my children busy with activity, but now as I have a view of life past sign ups, I see the ultimate goal which is for them to grow up and walk in the truth.

Let's pray God's Word:

Dear Heavenly Father. Thank You for Your Word which guides us in a plan. As a mom, I confess anxious moments about extended periods of down time.
Help me to remember that you created a rhythm for my children's lives that require work, play, and rest.  Guide us as a family to choose truth building before other skill building. Help me to be intentional with this time to refresh and find joy in actively pursuing You.  I cannot give them what I don't have. Guide me in the truth of Your Word so we can experience true joy this summer and even greater joy in their future life stage of walking in Your truth.
Amen
~Terrie Chevaillier

Lisa Life Lesson, “Putting Others First - What does that look like?" Watch this video!

As I watched this video this morning, I couldn't help but think, "Her parents must be so proud of her!" How do you teach your children selfless behavior and putting others first? As we know, it doesn't come naturally... for most of us.  We are preoccupied with I, me, myself.  It's our sin nature.  So overcoming this and desiring to put others first is learned.  And dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  We can't be who God has called us to be (selfless) without knowing Him.  But with His help (His Holy Spirit) we can be ALL He has called us to be.

Modeling this sort of behavior is key.  Remember, as we teach our children the ways of The Lord, we are teaching their children, and their children.  Generations have come to know the Savior of the world because of parents teaching their children.  It is a high and holy calling.  We can't take it lightly.  What a privilege to model the ways of Christ to our kids!

Watch this video.  Be prepared to feel lots of emotion.  The Shipley family loves The Lord.  That is very evident in Shelby's selfless act of love and kindness.  Find a way to teach your children that putting others first is not only biblical but its God's best for their lives.

Watch this video!

Lisa Clark

Sky Ranch Parenting Mentor