Prayers for my children...

As parents we pray. Even if you're not a "praying person" I assure you that at some point in your child's life you will pray. It begins the moment one discovers the new life, actually long before that in my case, and it hasn't stopped since. And while I pray many typical, all-parents-pray-that kinds of things like good health, protection, blah, blah, blah ...I also pray some slightly-odd, why-would-you-pray-that sort of prayers as well. Allow me to share...

1. When my children make bad choices (because they will) I PRAY they get caught...AND punished. (gasp!) I know what you're thinking. "What a terrible thing to pray!" But before you brand me as "Worst Mother Ever" let me explain. I'm not praying for my children to end up in jail. I pray they get caught early on in their poor choices. A very wise momma once told me she prayed that her children would always get caught when they were in a bad situation. At first I thought this odd and then I saw what wonderful Christian ladies she had raised and I made this my prayer. I pray they get caught and punished stealing candy off the teacher's desk so they never commit grand-theft-auto. When they're young I want them to learn well that every choice has consequences, both positive and negative. Their mistakes and poor choices now have very low-stake consequences. So I pray they get caught...and LEARN from their mistakes so that later in life they will have the wisdom to choose what is right.

2. I pray my children will experience the disappointment/reality of not getting everything they want. I know, I know, what a mean mommy! But in truth, this is the hardest thing to do. Particularly in the U.S. where we live lives of abundance - this is HARD. I could easily give in and buy the kids some t-tiny toy in the "dollar spot" each and every time I go to Target. I mean, they cost a whopping $1 and I spend more than that coffee! It's not like a $1 toy is going to break the bank...but it does break their capacity to be GRATEFUL. I've noticed a direct correlation between the amount of stuff that my kids own and the amount of gratitude they show. It's sad. I mean, really, really, makes-me-want-to-send-them-to-a-third-world-country-for-a-day sad. And so I deliberately tell them no. (And, subsequently I have to tell myself NO!) "Oh I love this sweater! But I don't need it." Truly, the best way for me to teach my children gratitude is to model it. If I drink a caramel apple spice from Starbucks (Mmmm!) every day I will hardly enjoy it as much as if it were a rare treat. The surest way to have an unhappy child is to give them everything they want. So I say NO. To them. To me. To ungrateful attitudes that make me want to pull my hair out. And I pray it works.

3. I pray my children live recklessly. AHHHH! What did she say?! Yes, I want them to live life on the edge. Passionate. Fearless. Over-the-top-RECKLESS-for-Christ. There it is. If you say that someone is reckless, you mean that they act in a way which shows that they do not care about danger. And let me tell you friends, following Christ's calling is dangerous. It is dangerous to pursue love in a world full of criticism. It is downright reckless to seek mercy and justice for those that are oppressed. It takes everything to choose a gentle answer when there are so many other things that could be said. I pray my children will live recklessly and courageously for Christ. I want them to lean into their calling. No one changed the world by playing it safe.

4. I pray they believe in the impossible. It can't happen. It won't be done...so why should you try. I detest pessimism. I abhor apathetic attitudes. I want them to believe. I want them to try. AND then I want them to prove the nay-sayers wrong. I pray they approach life ready to take on a challenge! Now, let me divulge to you that this is not how my son is wired. He is not naturally courageous. He is not the first to jump into a challenge. When I sit him in my lap before bedtime he often reveals to me feelings of inadequacy and fear. He is three y'all. Three little years old and he has many big worries. It is just his nature. But I remind him that our God is bigger than his fears. I know he can face giants but I know that God has equipped me, as his mother, to instill that in him. God sees so much us that is not evident from a worldly perspective. Gideon was cowering in a wine press when God called on him as a "valiant warrior of God." Now we would never see this scrawny man hiding from the Midianites as a "valiant warrior" but God saw him for what he could be and not for he was. I pray my children believe in the impossible. But first, I pray God helps me to believe in them. I pray he works in my heart to see their potential and their calling. And then works through me to nurture it, until it is a gift worthy for use in His kingdom.

I pray these things and many more. I pray for my children...will you join me?

Peace to you,
C