This morning as I poured water into the coffee maker I prayed for my daughters. I prayed naturally for their safety and health, but I also interceded for their futures.
I pray they grow in grace, beauty, and strength of character, but more importantly in relationship with you.
As I petitioned the Lord for their future, and prayed they would grow with a desire to seek His face, I was hit by the enormity of my position as their mother. In all reality they were God’s children yet He had entrusted them to my care. He had given me the lofty responsibility of raising kingdom kids, and I felt humbled and honored all at the same time.
But I also felt lacking.
I pray I do well.
I thought of the many times the previous week I had lost my temper, or even uttered things I did not mean. I remembered my lack of organization skills, time management, and wondered how many poor examples I had dropped haphazardly along the way. I had probably fouled it up something fierce, and I just hoped they wouldn’t remember.
The fact was, though, that the Lord had placed those girls into my life. He knew each one before she was even formed in my womb, and He knew every particularly difficult trait they would possess. He knew which child would be the overachiever, the underdog, or the sensitive one. He knew who’d be the whiner, the hugger, or the independent soul. He knew each and every challenge, and He also knew I would be up for it. He knew me, and He had placed within me the ability to respond appropriately and gently to each and every specific need that was required. And when I missed the mark? Grace. Abundant, wonderful grace. Hallelujah.
In my life as a mother He gave me strength, wisdom, and multiplying patience. In my life as a wife He gave me overflowing and unconditional affection and the desire to serve. In all the many professional and relationship roles in my life He has gifted me with exactly what it takes to do well.
So when,
I pray I do well
I am also believing that I can because the Lord has made me for such a time as this, so that even when I feel like I am lacking, I can remember that He is enough. He is my portion, and He has and will continue to give me the strength I require. And when I fall, there is grace. Great, glorious grace, and mercy that is new every morning.
Now if I can just remind myself of this always…