Each day Devotionals for Girls – At present’s Encouraging Phrase from Scripture
A Prayer for Graduates of All Ages
By Laura Bailey
Bible Studying:
“After the earthquake got here a hearth, however the Lord was not within the fireplace. And after the hearth got here a mild whisper.” 1 Kings 19:12 NIV
Hear or Learn Under:
Sitting at my nephew’s highschool commencement celebration, speaking with family and friends, I used to be repeatedly requested, “ Are you going to be prepared for this when it’s your women’ flip?” Such a loaded query.
I smiled and jokingly responded, “In fact! One much less mouth to feed, possibly my husband and I can lastly take that journey we began planning 20 years in the past!” My mother-in-law playfully interjected, “We’ll see how dry her eyes are subsequent Friday when her oldest graduates from elementary faculty.” I’ll undoubtedly shed some tears as my eldest daughter waves goodbye to 1 season of life, however maybe not for the explanation most anticipate.
Talking with mother and father of graduates of all ages, launching your baby into the world, off to varsity, or a brand new faculty brings combined feelings. And I’m proper there with them. Whereas mother and father wrestle with numerous emotions over seeing their infants develop up, the uncertainty of the following stage of life tends to ask essentially the most fear.
For some change in any kind, a brand new job, a special course of, or an alternate route evokes anxiousness and concern. However I discover pleasure within the unknown. The identical has been true for the altering seasons in my kids’s lives. I like rocking my infants, however I additionally loved watching them embrace independence as they took their first steps. Getting an enormous, sloppy kiss on their first day of kindergarten warmed my soul, however I used to be okay with a fast hug within the automotive as they walked in with their associates, able to tackle fifth grade.
I can embrace the uncertainty of life as a result of I cling to what I do know to make certain: God is sweet and He might be trusted, particularly with my kids. I’m merely a steward of my daughters; they don’t belong to me, however to the Lord. And so, the tears that prick the corners of my eyes stem from remorse as I take into consideration all of the squandered alternatives of my youth. I neither feared the Lord nor saved his commandments. As I take into consideration my women’ subsequent levels, I pray that they won’t be distracted by what this world has to supply however as a substitute, hearken to the nonetheless, usually quiet ways in which the Lord speaks to His kids. And never solely hear His voice however belief and obey.
I like these verses from 1 Kings about God’s interplay with the prophet Elijah. Elijah flees for his life and results in a cave, the place an angel tells him to get one thing to eat and take a nap ( 1 Kings 19:1-7). As soon as Elijah has regained his energy and had a relaxation, the Lord seems to him, and tells him to face on a mountain as a result of the presence of the Lord was about to go by. 1 Kings 19:11-13 tells us {that a} highly effective wind got here, however God wasn’t within the wind. Then an earthquake got here, however God wasn’t within the earthquake. After that, fireplace got here, however God wasn’t within the fireplace. Lastly, “after the hearth got here a mild whisper,” and when Elijah heard this, he pulled his cloak over his face in reverence ( 1 Kings 19:11-13).
As mother and father, we’re tempted to hope, crying out to God to indicate himself to our youngsters in grand gestures, main moments, or seemingly vital methods to get their consideration. Nonetheless, most of the time, God is chatting with His kids ( of all ages) in a mild whisper—one which, if we aren’t paying consideration, may very well be simply missed.
As I take into consideration my daughters’ rising up and graduating from one stage of life to the following, I pray that they may at all times be so in tune with the Holy Spirit that they may hear His whisper and observe His main of their lives. I is probably not prepared for them to maneuver on to the following milestone, however I do know God has them in His care; they merely have to hear for His voice.
Let’s Pray:
Most gracious, treasured, loving Father, please open our hearts and minds to listening to your voice. Quite a few distractions and voices compete to your consideration. Might you silence the noise in order that we will hearken to you. Lord, we carry up our little children to you. Information us as mother and father to reside with “open arms,” as we mum or dad as stewards, not house owners, of our youngsters. We are able to relaxation within the blessed assurance that you just love them greater than we do, since you alone are their Creator, Savior, and Sustainer. Might we encourage our youngsters to abide in you, not solely listening to Your voice converse to their hearts, however listening and obeying Your instructions. And assist us, as mother and father, do the identical, in our personal lives, permitting the Holy Spirit to guide as we joyfully submit. We love you, Lord. In Jesus’ Title, Amen.
Picture Credit score: © Unsplash/Conner Ching
She lives in Upstate South Carolina along with her husband and three younger women, the place she serves as director of girls’s ministries at her church. Her ardour is instructing the Bible to ladies, equipping them to reside with an everlasting perspective. Invite Laura to talk at your subsequent occasion or be taught extra: www.LauraRBailey.com
Praying via Psalm 15: A Prayer to the One Who Will By no means Be Shaken
Are you bored with being spiritually weary? You’ve got come to the suitable place! Be part of us for a time of prayer, reflection and meditation. Depart the bags of your day behind you and are available away refreshed, renewed, and reconnected to God. Who’s the type of one that won’t ever be shaken? Discover out in as we speak’s 10-minute devotion as we discover Psalm 15. In case you like what you hear, subscribe to Praying Christian Girls on Apple or Spotify so that you by no means miss an episode!
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