Today’s blog is for the moms and dads who are pouring out their lives at the feet of Jesus on behalf of their children.

Philippians 2 has so much practical advice for our young ones. Below is a wonderful section of verses that we can pray for ourselves AND our children as they grow in knowledge, understanding and, by the grace of God, in faith.

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:14-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Grumbling and complaining start when we don’t seek God in the ordinary and mundane tasks of life and parenting. It is actually easier to seek God when we are crying out in pain and anguish than it is when we are weary and bored with routine.

Teach your children to seek Him in all things. He is the God of the ordinary and the extraordinary.

Teach your children to “be the Son-shine” when everyone else is seeking relief in worldly ways. Darkness will not ultimately reign, it is merely the absence of Light. Send your children to school as the light of Christ, pray it over them, claim it on their behalf until the day they claim it as their own.

Hold fast to the WORD OF LIFE my fellow parents. Choose life. Speak life into the souls of your children. Live the life of Christ, who dwells within you, for them to witness.

We don’t RUN or LABOR in vain for our families. God sees every packed lunch, every washed dish, every late hour at the office, every sleepless night, every school project, every college application, every recital, every attempt to get to church on time.

Be encouraged! Our very lives, POURED OUT on the altar of parental sacrifice, are part of the elements God uses to bring our children to a saving knowledge of Christ and a faithful walk with Christ.

The reward comes in the mutual REJOICING. When your terrible threes prodigal returns, there will be rejoicing! When your middle school prodigal returns, there will be rejoicing! When your young adult prodigal returns, there will be rejoicing!

When grumbling and disputing are replaced with “thank you” and “I couldn’t have made it without you Mom and Dad”, then mutual rejoicing will abound!

In the meantime, hold fast to the Word of Life.