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A Proud Father - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) July 12, 2024

Recently, someone complimented me for having well-behaved children. I must confess I was happy to hear it. Only a fellow parent will understand the sheer terror parenting can sometimes be. Parents (and I can only speak from a mom's perspective), constantly wonder whether they're doing things right. They always wonder whether they're setting their kid up for failure or success.


And the thing about parenting is there is no adequate way to prepare for the role. You won't know what you need to know until you get into parenting and realize all you don't know. All the training happens while in the position. And so when someone says, "You've got some good kids," all you can do is take a deep breath, thank God, and get back to being a vigilant parent who doesn't want the world's madness to infect your offspring.


The compliment got me thinking about my relationship with my heavenly Father. How do I behave and would God ever get complimented because of me?


The more I pondered this question, the more I realized I needed His help to reflect and represent Him better. See, my mother made it clear that my behavior could impact my family's reputation. She also warned that I had better not go out into the world and embarrass her or bring shame to the family name.


Although I was far from perfect, my mother's warning always rang in my ears. It kept me from doing certain things and steered me away from plenty of trouble. I'd often worry that my mother would have my hide if she heard I was around certain types of people or places.



It took a while but I now understand that I have to take the same approach as a child of the Lord God Almighty. I need to pay attention to what I say and do, where I go, and who I spend time with. All this so that at the very least, I won't cause others to speak about Him poorly. I also pray that I will cause at least one person to compliment Him for the way He's raising me to interact with people and situations.​



I am not deluded to think that this will be easy. There have been too many times when I've tried to be a good reflection of the Lord only to look back and see huge mistakes. However, I can also look back and see how His grace always redeemed me and guided me to do a little better the next time. And with each new circumstance, I'd see how God was helping me to better represent Him and His kingdom.

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I realize that these desires of mine are part of my journey as I walk the earth. I've also come to terms with the fact that even when I'm an old woman, there will still be much to learn. But since the Bible says "His mercies endure forever," I'll keep relying on that mercy and much more to get me through (Psalm 136).


The great thing is that neither you nor I have to rely on our strength or intelligence to please the Lord and bring Him praise. We need only cooperate with His Holy Spirit who is charged with transforming us for God's glory and purpose. Philippians 2:13 also states "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him" (NLT). Therefore, I know that God will always help us to be who we were created to be.


What amazing grace! In His mercy and patience, God has taken on the responsibility to build up His children so they get them to the finish line. And "...if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]" (AMP).


By His grace, therefore, every child of God can cause their Heavenly Father to be complimented when their "good home training" is recognized. He is more than able to make this happen. All it requires is submission to what He has taught and is teaching us. And that isn't impossible because He has also provided the Holy Spirit to guide. When combined with His word, we will develop into the very ones who bring Him glory.


Someday, somewhere, someone will compliment Him on having a good child and that child will not just be me. By His grace and to His glory, that child will also be you, IJMN Amen.



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