How To Change Your Child’s World
“I love the LORD because He hears and answers my prayers.
Because He bends down and listens,
I will pray as long as I have breath!”
Every once in a while I get to play at being mom to my Grands. This morning was one of those times— a glimpse into the real world of Jude, and Moses, and sweet Sunday.
Before she left for the airport, Tammy had everything prepped: breakfast set out, lunches packed, backpacks lined up by the front door. She had notes for me, notes for the kids— she’d thought of everything.
What she couldn’t prep me for was the weight I saw slumping Jude’s shoulders as he faced the gargantuan Goliaths who haunt the halls of Middle School.
I remember my own Goliaths; mean girls, clueless teachers, clannish cliques. I remember the dread, feeling like a misfit, hyper aware of every glance my way.
More than anything I remember the aloneness.
I hadn’t yet heard of a Father who longs to be with every one of us. Didn’t know about a Savior who promised to rescue us from our own inadequacies, and then draw us near so that just by being close we are changed.
It was just me against the whole wide frightening world.
So when I heard that tremor in Jude’s voice, all that angst came rising up to the surface of my soul. I wanted to grab my grandboy in my arms and hide away with him. I longed to march into that school with Jude and glare menacingly at anyone who might in any way wound this grandchild I love with such ferocity.
To say the least, he didn’t like that idea! So instead of doing something wild and crazy, I took a deep breath and I did what I can do.
I prayed.
In fact, I spent the better part of the morning praying. First I prayed with my Bible open on my lap, pouring my pleas onto the pages of my journal. Then I prayed while I cleared away the breakfast dishes, while I got ready for a morning appointment, while I walked through the steps of my day.
Praying, I have come to see, is not just what a mom or Grand-mom does when she doesn’t know what else to do.
Praying is the first thing to do; the most powerful, life changing, day rearranging action-plan for defeating the real enemy.
And who is that, you ask? It’s not the bullies, or the mean kids. It’s not the predators or the super cool influencers. Oh no, it’s far scarier than anything you see on the evening news.
Enemy # 1 is a beautiful, appealing, fallen angel who specializes in separating our sons or daughters from their real Father. He lies and schemes and allures the innocent into traps that he’s found to be shockingly effective— for centuries. And he’s got a whole army of demons working for him.
Scripture paints a vivid picture of his plans:
“Be careful! Watch out for the attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.”
When we’re praying for our kids we’re doing exactly what our Lord urges us to do:
“Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith.
Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.”
And so today that’s what I do. I do what I can, what I must. I pray.
And something in the world of Middle School shifts because I pray to a God who bends down and listens.
From a heart full of confidence in our God,
Diane
PS: I have no special in with God, at least no more than any of His so loved do. But if you’ll leave your child’s name in the comments, it would be my joy to pray for your child, just as I pray for my own.