The Divine Appointment

The past decade for me seems like a flurry of babies and diapers. What a privilege!---To be entrusted with all these little ones that God had especially chosen to give me still amazes me now especially as I look back and my babies are older (my once infant twins are embarking upon being three years old next weekend and an older daughter turning 17 this year!). Where has the time gone?

But I still remember those nights. Those nights when you felt like you worked hard all day and finally you get to rest and just as you feel like your head just hit the pillow--- there came the cry. At first my fleshly response would be "Oh no, how will I ever get any sleep?" but then I learned that this was not just any nightly call from a hungry baby but instead it was...

A Divine Appointment!

Yes, a divine appointment.

Instead of sitting there wallowing in self-pity at 2 am, I realized that God had planned for me to be up. Yes, it was HIS plan. Now what to do while I was breastfeeding little hungry babies through the night? Something very IMPORTANT---something that I couldn't focus on through the day because I was too busy caring for His little ones. Can you guess? It was...

PRAYER!!!

Not just any prayer, mind you. More like 'warrior' praying, if you will! And I want you to do this too. Don't be mad that you are awake, don't resent your husband and most of all don't waste this precious time. You were awoken by divine appointment by God above for this given moment. Don't let it slip by. Pray for that little child of yours you are holding in your arms.

Here is how to pray---why not start praying for that sweet, warm little bundle in your arms by starting at the top of their little heads and working right down their body. Here is an example:

MIND--that God would protect their minds, that they would be one-minded towards God, that they would always be sold out for Him, that God would be first on their minds, etc.

EYES--that they would be kept from evil, that they would have understanding and the eyes of Christ as they learned Scripture and met people, etc.

EARS--that they would hear Gods Word and accept it and hide it in their heart, keep it from evil

MOUTH--that would speak the words of God and share with the lost, keep it from evil

HEART-- to be strong and courageous for God, protected with the breastplate of righteousness

HANDS--that would feed the poor, help the needy, build the church of God

BODY--a healthy body that would follow the Lord all their life and use it for His glory

FEET-- that they would bring peace, that wherever they walked they would bring the gospel and share it, they would run from evil

God will bring things to mind to pray specifically for your child so don't be limited to the above, these are just some ideas to help you begin with and don't forget to pray for their spouses and their futures. Do this with all your children, not just in the middle of the night but ALL THE TIME, even if they are older and if you are already a grandmother. Don't say you don't have time--talk to Him whenever you can! Whether it be driving or washing dishes, know that He wants to hear from you. Through the day I have established my shower time as a special time in the morning to really just spend a good length of time in private talking to Him about the day and my thoughts.What a blessing it is to come into the presence of God and petition Him on behalf of our homes and children. While you pray, don't forget your other children, you husband, your home, yourself, your parents, neighbors, etc.

Next time, I hope you will be looking forward to your quiet and alone 'divine appointment' with a 'listening' God who loves you, your husband and your children so much more than you'll ever know.

Have a great week building up your sacred homes!