What Scriptures are stuck in your head this week? Scriptures that find their way out of the pages of my Bible and into my life tend to be short phrases that I don’t forget easily. One phrase this week has been “Our Father” from the Lord’s prayer.
Not only have I been comforted by remembering that God is my Father, who delights to provide for my needs and direct my paths, but I have also been challenged to find ways of imitating my Father to my children.
The names of God have always been significant to his people. One of the ways God teaches us about himself is through the use of metaphors and names. I AM reminds us that God is eternal, and so on. I love that God compares himself to mother nursing her baby (Isaiah 49:15), and to a mother bird protecting her chicks (Psalm 91:4). Those verses teach me about the emotional tenderness that God feels toward his own children.
As I read in the New Testament passages which seem to emphasize God our Father, I have been looking to see how I can imitate those actions. Maybe you have some more ideas, or different verses that challenge you.
- Paying attention to my children’s needs. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:7-8).
- Asking for wisdom to best motivate and praise my children’s good behavior. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Matthew 6:17-18).
- Forgiving my children’s offenses against me, and helping them love their siblings. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:24
- Praying for other Christian mamas God has put in my path. We are sisters working together for our Father (Am I demonstrating a loving sibling relationship I would like my children to have?) We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Learning how to be merciful to my children. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:36
This last verse has been one of the most influential verses in my life as a mother. Tomorrow I’ll talk about exactly how it’s changed me!
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