When I look back on my life and see all the people who have poured into me with wise counsel and godly advice I can’t help but know it was all part of God’s plan. But I also wonder if it had to do with a praying Mom. I have a praying Mom. Pretty much she knew in order for me to survive in this world with my crazy antics and ideas I would need a surrounding of godly people pouring into me. She did that well herself but she was wise enough to know she wasn’t the only voice I needed to hear.
Mr. Ray, our next door neighbor, helped me form a heart for missions early in my life. Mrs. Childers, my 6th-grade teacher, boosted my confidence by telling me I was courageous in my faith and telling me to keep sharing it with others. Mrs. Beckman, my 3rd-grade teacher, led me to Christ. These are just a few of the many voices that had a powerful influence on my life.
I have been asking God to provide my children with Christ-centered, outside voices and godly support for a long time. And by God’s grace, he has allowed me to see the fruit of this prayer in some pretty neat ways lately.
Our son has several outside people pouring into his life right now and I’m so thankful for that. One man in our church has taught him a lot about guns and given him time in shooting. Another took him hunting for his first time. His youth pastor has become a good friend while remaining an important authority figure in his life as well. He’s also a part of a small group called “5 Guys” that has been instrumental in his spiritual growth and this is led by his Dad.
I thank God that Sophie has chosen to look to a godly girl in her school as a role model and mentor. This girl graduated last year but is very involved in our church youth group and praise team. She marches to her own beat, is super creative and loves Jesus a lot. And she understands discipleship. She has purposefully gone to some of the sports practices to support the girls and encourages them in different ways. Sophie also has a Sunday School teacher who has poured a lot of time and energy into a group of girls in our church. She is hearing Truth and getting to do fun stuff with this group of girls. And who would think the voices of a book would count as a mentor of sorts but I think that counts. My friend Amy Sullivan has written a series of picture books called Gutsy Girls that are so awesome. The messages of these books have had an impact on my girl especially when she was younger.
All this to say……I love how God is providing Mitchell and Sophie to have godly people in their life and pointing them to Jesus. Teaching them to know and love him more and to serve him. I wouldn’t be who I am today without the shaping of godly people in my life and I thank God for his sovereignty in our relationships and his kindness in answering prayer.
I find it interesting that even as adults we still need these voices of encouragement wrapped in love and support. As I was stationed in a corner of a used bookstore this week I overheard a conversation of a young Mother on her cell phone. (She was right next to me so no judging me for being nosey.) She was explaining to whoever she was talking to how she had asked someone at church if they had any hand-me-down clothes her son could wear for an upcoming event of some sort. This family, who didn’t have a lot of money themselves, took their son shopping with them that afternoon and brought him home with an entirely new outfit with shoes. To top it off they said they wanted to go to a recital he was going to be in to support him.
I wish you could’ve heard this woman. It meant the world to her that another family would spend time and money on her child and attend his recital. She’ll never forget that and her son probably won’t either. Those were unexpected voices of love pouring into them. Who knows if she had a Mama praying that God would send a voice of encouragement and support to her daughter. Or maybe it was just God’s goodness and provision at just the right time as he does so well. It certainly brought a smile to my heart.
Who are the people in your children’s lives that are pouring into them good things? Maybe reach out to them and let them know. I have a few emails to send today communicating this very thing.
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