In order to demonstrate love,
you must be willing to pray for others. Not just for your friends but for those
that you do not agree with, that you do not consider a friend, or look at as
the enemy. There is a saying that says to keep your friends close but your
enemies closer. What better way to keep ANYONE close to you but to pray for
them. This is something that I did not truly understand because I was not the
best at leading my family. I was not taught the way of our Lord. I simply did
not grow up with that dynamics in my life. As stated in my introduction, I am
behind on being the spiritual leader for my family but I have made it clear that
I need to make changes and I am learning as my children are learning to love
the Lord.
As I read through the
chapter, I started questioning some of my observations when it comes to prayer.
And it is not that I am question why we pray or what we say but more the
question of whether some people are doing it for show to be seen in the
churches or on the streets. We all know that prayer during the school day is not
permitted but we still see students gathering at the flags before school for a
pray. Not that I am saying that is wrong! But at times, I question the motive
of some of those that pray. Please do
not get me wrong, I believe that prayer is the only way for us to truly talk to
God and seeking His knowledge and greatness. I just question the manner in
which some people do this. Over the last few years, there have been all kinds
of negative context about what Tim Tebow does or how he expresses himself to the Lord. It
has become widely known as Tebowing. I do not wish to discredit Tim Tebow, I
truly believe that he is an AWESOME role model for our children and truly believe
that our children should look up to him. However, I feel that some people have
taken what this young man has been doing all his life and have copied it as a
way of pure show. To those that do not have the same love for the Lord that Tim
Tebow demonstrates, I pray that you eventually find what this young man is
trying to guide you toward that will change your life.
We need the favor of God in
our lives. With that said, it is not something that should be earned by praying
for show. We MUST take the time to speak what is on our mind to the Lord and
seek His love and guidance each and every day. Regardless of whether we are
with our families or friends but we must pray when we are alone. And we must
pray for what is truly in our hearts and pray that God will give us the sense
of guidance and love that we desire with Him.
Scripture: “As
those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12)
How am I demonstrating love? As I have mentioned, I am behind as a spiritual leader
in my home and as my children are learning so am I. Each night, I take a few
minutes of one-on-one time with each of the three oldest children to read their
daily devotional with them. And we take time to learn together about the Lord
and His love for us. After we get done with the devotional, I ask each child
what they want to pray for tonight and have asked them not to think about
themselves in prayer but to think about someone else. It has given me the
chance to see what true blessings are being given to them through reading the
daily devotionals. To see each of these children begin to grow as they learn
how to pray has been a truly outstanding blessing. One night in particular,
each child had a similar pray that showed that they were thinking about their
mother but also thinking about the police officers, firefighters, soldiers and
all emergency medical staff. Although I am still learning as they are, I have
been truly blessed with some awesome children.
On a side note, our youngest
child on Christmas day made it a point to ask each family member if they
were thankful for Jesus’ birthday. It can’t get any better than that! Thank you
Lord for putting these awesome children in my life to help build me into the
spiritual leader You desire me to be for them.
