“Mom, I am hungry!”  My momma’s heart already knew that the cherubs were getting hungry.  Yet, as I prepare their meal, they often cry this out, “Mom, I am hungry!  Can I have something to eat?”  My response:  “You can always have the food God made.”  In other words, if they need a little something to hold them over before I serve the next meal, they are always welcome to have a piece of fresh fruit or munch on raw veggies or grab a handful of nuts.  These foods are good and essential and won’t spoil their appetite for the meal.  They can satisfy their hunger with nourishing foods that God created.  Sweet treats, such as ice cream or cookies, are enjoyed after I know they have eaten “the food God made” and a nutritious meal.  (They have been informed that God, though they are delicious, did not create Oreos and they can’t be eaten before a meal.  Smile.)

Not only can our children have the food God made, they must have the food God made.  Our bodies need it and crave it.  The food He created is necessary for our bodies to grow and be healthy.

This truth with physical food is the same truth we teach our cherubs with spiritual food.  Our hearts, minds and souls must consume God’s Word.  His Words are our life.   “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law.  They are not just idle words for you—they are your life.” ~ Deut. 32:46-47

As a parent, I am daily brought to my knees before God knowing that He has entrusted these two precious children to me and Jim.  It still takes my breath away that God, by His grace and mercy, has given me the gift of being the mom to our children.  And it is our responsibility as parents to teach them God’s Word that they may grow in Him, abide in Him and nurture their own personal relationship with Him.    “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”  Deut. 6:5-9 

God’s Word is life.  I have full confidence that His Word is truth and it will not return to us empty, but rather full and overflowing.  His Word is good, necessary and satisfying.  We must consume it daily.  He satisfies.  “He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”  Psalm 107:9

I pray that as we teach our children to first eat the foods God created for our nourishment for our physical bodies, that they first know that daily feasting on His Word brings life to their hearts, minds and souls.  His food nourishes our bodies.  His Word brings life to our hearts and minds.   “The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”  Romans 8:6 

Just as eating food is necessary for our bodies, daily digesting God’s Word into our hearts and minds is necessary.  It is not optional for our well-being.  It is required.  “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.”  Job 23:12

Our Heavenly Father knows our hunger, our needs.  And He provides for us perfectly.  God wants us to eat what is good and delight in the richest of fare.  As a parent, I want the same for our children.  Oh, Lord, let it be that they always delight in, hunger for and thirst for Your Word, for You.  May the daily eat what is good and delight in the richest of fare.