“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law. I am a stranger on earth, do not hide Your commands from me. My soul is consumed with longing for Your laws at all times.” Psalm 119:18-20 (NIV)
Sometimes in the morning after I have had my quiet time with the Lord, I share a specific scripture that really ministered to my heart with our children when they wake up. I love when I can share with them how God gave me the perfect scripture verse for the day. He meets us right where we are as we seek Him in His Word. As I share with our cherubs, I pray that He plants in their souls a longing for His Word and that taste, see and know that His Word is alive and active.
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
The children have their own devotion book that we use each morning for their breakfast devotions. Though these are not always peaceful and lingering moments in the morning if sibling rivalry or poor attitudes are kicking in, I do always reiterate to them the importance of starting each day in the Word.
The other morning, I was upstairs helping Gabrielle with her hair. So, as Joshua headed downstairs, I said to him, “Honey, please get the devotion book ready and find the devotion for you and Gabrielle today. We’ll be right down.” A few minutes later, he shouted up to me, “Mommy, our devotion for today is called ‘Avoid Arguing’!” Praise the Lord! Avoid Arguing!
Our sweet cherubs had just had several days where they had argued with each other. Besides driving me nutty, I was telling them how their arguing did not please the Lord. Disagreements will happen regularly, but handling them with the right words, attitude and heart are paramount. (Ah-hem, note to self.)
The scripture verse for that day in our children’s devotional was: “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.” (2 Timothy 2:23) When we read this together at breakfast, I said, “Isn’t God so good to give us this scripture for today? We really needed to hear this!” Joshua said, “God always gives us the right verse for each day, Mommy!” Yes!
They are getting it! God’s Word is truth. God’s Word is alive and active. God’s Word satisfies. Though our breakfast time devotions may not always be picturesque and peaceful, God is still speaking through His Word…and I pray that our cherubs continue to get it! May their souls long for His Word and His Truth.
What scripture is “just right” for you today?
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
John 17:17 (NIV)
Today is 2/25…my dad’s birthday.
He passed away in 1998.
Our children never met him,
but we tell them about him and show them pictures.
We love you, dad! Happy Birthday!
Updated 7 AM: OK, in my One-Year Chronological Bible reading for today, look what verse was there…on my Dad’s birthday: “The people indicated their ancestry by their clans and families…” Numbers 1:18
Precious post! Yes God always gives us what we need when we need it!
Praises to our King for meeting our children where they are at!
Thank you precious cherubs for praying for us and tell them we are well!!!!!
Hugs and love,
Jill
OH, Sharon, this was wonderful! I need to pull that arguing verse out, paint a picture of it, and hang it on our door!!
You’ll be in my prayers today as you remember your precious dad’s birthday.
Hugs,
Susan
Wow! This is a great word.
Melanie@Bella~Mella
I love how God speaks to us so personally and so specifically.
This post has convicted me about our “Family Worship” time. Although we all have our own individual time in God’s Word, the time we used to spend after dinner as a family in God’s Word and in prayer has lately become squeezed out due to a change in schedule. We need to be diligent in finding a new time that works. I don’t want to miss precious opportunities like the one you shared here.
Thanks Sharon. Have a great day!
Joy
I like to quote to my kids "Do everything without arguing and complaining." Phil 2:14.
I love all of Phillipians, and I love that the Bible does provide the right verse from God for me everyday! Amen!
May you remember your dad in love & joy today.
Joy,
can you tell me what book of daily devotions you use for your kids?
Thanks,
Allyson
What a wonderful and encouraging blog! It is so nice to have encouragement from Christian moms even when they’re miles away. I was directed to your blog by Renee Swopes’ blog. My friend Pepper directed me to Renee’s blog because of the Mining for Gold in a child’s heart CD (which I do not have yet. I find great comfort in all the encouragement! I have a really easy little boy, and maybe because he’s so easy to get along with I tend to let the digging deeper (for ALL his gifts) fall to the wayside. Thank you for taking time out of your busy MOM life to encourage all of us!
Fondly,
Suz