Rooted 3

1 Corinthians 7:12-14

We can tell from the conduct of people in this world that they do not have this guidance. But a sanctified child has access to the knowledge of what God expects, and from that he can make it his goal in life to act that way. He can set his will to do the right thing. He is sanctified, and divine guidance is what he gains from it. - John W. Ritenbaugh

Verse 14 seems at first like it is a great blessing to our children, and it is.  Our children are sanctified through our belief.  In plain English... our children are good in God's eyes because we believe in Him.  (And note that there is no age limit on this... I believe it carries into adulthood as well.)

But it is not only a blessing.  It is also a responsibility.  For those who have been taught by a Godly parent (or grandparent) we are given the task of living our lives the right way.  There are  expectations now.  

Recently my daughter and I were discussing a fellow student who is just 16 and smokes and lives in a way that really upsets Bren.  I asked her what kind of family this child must have grown up in to have that behavior tolerated and encouraged.  I doubt that this young man has been given much Godly guidance in his short life.    And not that he can't reach out to God and commit his life.  But without those around him encouraging him and guiding him, it will be much more difficult. 

So remember that although it's not your parents that get you into Heaven (or send you to Hell) a Godly parent is enough to sanctify you, making you aware of God's blessings and laws... and making you responsible for living your life in a Godly fashion.

DAILY CHALLENGE:  Think today about the rules and blessings you parents gave you as you grew up.  If you had a Godly parent, how do you think your life would have been different without their guidance.  And if you didn't have a Godly parent, how do you think your life would have been different? 

Rooted 1

Let God uphold you in His hands.

Psalm 37:23-27

I have never met anyone who doesn't worry about their children.  When they are little we worry about their every little need.  Our lives as parents are consumed with the tedium of bottles and diapers and naps and pacifiers and the dangers from choking and poisoning and all sorts of treacherous things that can happen to them.  When they go off to school we worry about them fitting in, doing well, having friends and all of those things.   

My children are now beyond those stages and I feel like the real worrying is just beginning.  Will they pick the right spouse?  Will they find a job?  Will they ever move out?  (just kidding!)  (not really)

But today's reading reminds us that God has our children in His hands.  It doesn't matter whether they are infants or grandparents themselves -- when they do what God commands He holds them.  The Hebrew word used in verse 24 for "uphold" means to rest or lean against.  Like when you are exhausted and you lean against a wall.   You know it's going to support you.  

And in verse 26 it says that their children will be a blessing.  But it means more than "their children will bless them."  It really means that their children's names will literally become a blessing.   When people talk about them, they will be blessed just by hearing the names.  

What a great thing for a parent to want for their children!  I want my kids to be blessings to others.  I want them to be so generous and loving and Godly that other parents say "Why can't you be more like him?"  (Oh, what a curse to put on my children from the world's point of view!)

Mother's Day is this Sunday.  DON'T FORGET!   It is through our parents and grandparents that we develop who we are.  It is through them that we learn to be generous and just and good.*  But it is in God's hands that we all rest.  He is the one who upholds us and He is the one who lifts us when we stumble.

DAILY CHALLENGE:  Thank God for your parents.  Be a blessing to them, even if they are no longer in this world.  How can you let God uphold you this week.

*Even if you weren't blessed with Godly parents (and believe me it is a blessing) you learned these things.   Maybe it was even an "opposite" lesson of how you never want to be... but remember that God is our father and mother and loves us as His children.  So hang in there for this week of Mother's Day and be a great mother yourself or give yourself to a child who desperately needs Godly guidance.