True Success

"O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man." Nehemiah 1:11

 

Lyssa's 5th Grade Graduation (2005)

I pray that my kids find great success in their lives. Not necessarily success as defined by the world, but success from living close to the Lord and His designs for their lives.

Success won't be measured by their grade point average.
     Or by the awards they earn.
     Or if they are in the top of their class.
Success won't depend on the amount of money they make.
     Or by the type of job they have.
     By how big their house is.
     Or by the number of things they own.

I will count my children successful if...

they love the Lord.
they use the talents and gifts God has given them.
they follow God's laws and commands.
they fall in love with His Word.
they love others well.
they find a spouse and together they found their marriage on God.
they grow their children up to know and love the Lord.
they share Jesus with others who don't know Him.
they work hard in all that they do.
they go wherever God calls them to go.

Success by the worlds standards are all fine and good, but may just leave my children empty and unfulfilled if they don't allow God to be a part of their lives.  I pray that they always love the Lord their God with all their heart, mind and soul, and find the contentment that comes with that kind of success.  Oh, what joy it is to watch their lives unfold!

O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today.  Please Lord, give my children success today.  Take the work of their hands, the thoughts of their minds, and the desires of their hearts and use them for your glory.  Remind Alyssa and Kyle of the gifts and talents you have given them and show them how to use them to shine your light to the world around them.  I pray that you are always Lord of their lives and that they find great joy and success from living according to your plan.  May they love you with all their heart, mind and soul. I eagerly watch and wait for Alyssa and Kyle's lives to unfold, day by day, and year by year, hoping that they always live their lives for you. Thank you for the great plans you have for them...plans for a hope and a future.   Oh, how I love you, dear Jesus! 
 

Made to Do

"Do not neglect your gift...Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress."  1 Timothy 4:14-15

I'm rereading one of my favorite books, "When Crickets Cry" by Charles Martin.  If you want to read a good book, I'd encourage you to pick it up.  As I read it, I came across a paragraph that made me think of my kids.

"People marvel at the genius of Mozart because he supposedly wrote "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" at the age of three and composed his first first symphony at the age of twelve.  And yes, of course he was a genius, but another way to look at it is that he just discovered early what it was God made him to do.  That's all.  For some reason, God gave him a little extra, or a little something different, and Mozart found out what that was and then got a head start on using it.  Of course, he was brilliant, but that's not the point.  The point is he knew, and then he got to work.

I was no Mozart, and I had to work at it, but I never doubted what God made me to do..."  (When Crickets Cry, by Charles Martin, page 76)

What is it that God has made my children to do?  Oh, how I can't wait to see.  I'm sure they are getting nudges here and there from God.  Whatever it is, great or small, it's going to be perfect for them.  As long as they are following God's lead they will live in abundant joy and peace.

Watching God's plan unfold will be one of life's greatest pleasures.

Lord, your plans for Alyssa and Kyle stand firm forever, the purposes of your heart through all generations (Psalm 33:11).  They are plans to prosper, and not to harm, plans to give them a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).  In his heart a man plans his course, but you, Lord, determine his steps (Proverbs 16:9).  I'm in awe that you have gifted each of my children for something special and design their lives to serve you, reflect you, and love others.  Help them to recognize your purpose and leading in their lives, dear Jesus.  Follow Alyssa and Kyle all the days of their life, always speaking in their ear, "this is the way, walk in it."  (Isaiah 30:21).  Thank you, Lord, that there is something that they are made to do, and it will not be hidden from them.  God, you are so good!
 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

A Great Reward

"The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness."  1 Samuel 26:23

You may be still waiting for some of my "profoundness" about graduation day, but you'll have to come back another day.  However, what a great weekend it has been...celebration galore, great family time, and many reminders of God's work in our lives.

One fun thing, that I can't help but brag about, was that Lyss found out she was the class salutatorian on Friday and had to give a speech in Saturday's graduation ceremony.  Four years of hard work paid off and the reward was the opportunity to say one last word to her graduating class.  Such a proud moment for this mom, that's for sure.

God rewards us when we are faithful to Him and His calling in our lives.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle experience many other great rewards as they live righteous and faithful lives for Him.  It will always be worth the hard work, sacrifice, and time we give to and for Him!

Way to go, baby girl!  "You done good!"

Oh precious Father, my heart is full of praise and thanks.  Your reward and blessing on Lyssa's life this weekend was big.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle always choose to live righteous and faithful lives in response to you and your call on their lives.  In turn, they will find blessing from you.  May they sense your deep pleasure in who they are, and the delight you find in what they do for you, still recognizing that they can't earn your love, but you give it freely to them.  Thank you, Lord, for the many blessings you shower down on your children,  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle always live faithful and righteous lives.

 

True Success

"As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success."  2 Chronicles 26:5

Kyle & Lyss (2000)

Every mom wants to see her children be successful.  Sometimes I ponder what Alyssa and Kyle will be like 10 or 20 years from now.  I wonder what they will be doing with their lives, what careers they will choose, or what their families will look like. 

Kyle talks more about success, than Alyssa does.  Maybe it's a man thing. He's dreamed of making it big in baseball, and what he'll do with the money he makes.  When he thinks of a career, he's running down the line of who he deems "rich".  I'm glad he has ambition, but I hope that as he dreams big, he'll seek the Lord in his decisions.  Following Him, no matter the cost, will bring their greatest reward I'm sure!

I don't think of success being marked by how much money our children make, or if they live in big homes, and have lots of "toys".  In my eyes, I will see Alyssa and Kyle as successful if they are happy and following Jesus with all their heart. 

Lord, I know that you have wonderful plans for our children's lives.  Their futures hold great success, pleasure, and treasures, as they decide to seek after you.  Your Word promises that when they seek you, they will find you, and when they ask, you will answer.  I pray, Father, that Alyssa and Kyle always choose to look to you for guidance, wisdom, help in their decisions, and follow you to the ends of their earth.  Seeking after you sometimes takes work, and time, but you will never fail to show them the way you have planned for them.  Open their eyes that they see you clearly, and their hearts so that they are willing and ready to go wherever you lead.  You want to give Alyssa and Kyle the desires of their hearts, I know that full well, but I pray their hearts will always desire to seek after you.

 

He Played on Varsity!!

"The God of heaven will give us success."  Nehemiah 2:20

If a mom and dad get this excited about their freshman son playing on the Varsity baseball team, how much more crazy-excited will they be when they know without a shadow of a doubt that their kids are living their lives for God?!?!? 

Oh what a day of rejoicing that will be!

Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle will always know that you are their God and Savior.  May they confess with their mouth that you are Lord, and believe in their heart that you raised Jesus from the dead to save them. You are the One who loves them, forgives them, and grants them success in their lives.  You are their Light, their Bread of Life, and their Beloved Shepherd.  I pray that you will always be their Lord and Savior.  May they choose this day whom they will serve and live always as your son and daughter!

 

Wordless Wednesday

Not the Bat

"In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him."  1 Samuel 18:14

Kyle and his new bat (2012)

Today and tomorrow Kyle has his first high school baseball tryouts.  I always pray for Kyle's success in everything he does, but today I'm just praying for this great opportunity he has. I think I'm more nervous that he is.  Ha!

But this I know...I know that it is God who will give him success today.

And I think Kyle knows that too!

Trust God, my dear son!

It's all Him...

and not that new bat you're going to swing!

Oh Lord, our God, I know and believe that in everything our children do, they will have great success, because you are with them.  Today, help Kyle to be confident that you are his strength.  May he trust in you with all of his heart, and that whatever the outcome, it is part of your ultimate plan.  In the moments that fear becomes overwhelming, I pray that he prays to you and finds your peace that passes all understanding.  We love you, dear Jesus, and trust you with all that this day holds.