I had an exceptionally exciting reward in mind...something I KNEW would knock their socks off!
What they didn't know was what I had up my sleeve. And that was the fun of it.
I gave clear expectations. I allowed room for grace. I asked that they wait. And I had a plan in mind.
I knew exactly what I was up to. I saw the big picture. I hoped that they would make the right choices and I did my best to set them up for success. I employed words of affirmation, a scattering of second chances, patience...but also I held to my expectations.
As their mom, I really wanted them to earn my secret reward...and my heart rejoiced when they did!
I knew exactly what I was up to. I saw the big picture. I hoped that they would make the right choices and I did my best to set them up for success. I employed words of affirmation, a scattering of second chances, patience...but also I held to my expectations.
As their mom, I really wanted them to earn my secret reward...and my heart rejoiced when they did!
A parent's pride, the satisfaction of a job well done, oh the elation of honoring those deserving accolade!
And I can only imagine how my Father in heaven must feel as He looks upon me.
And I can only imagine how my Father in heaven must feel as He looks upon me.
Rewards up His sleeve, a perfect and wonderful plan in store, the BIG picture as only He can see,
He holds mysteries and joys, the kinds of gifts that parents love to bestow upon their children.
Yet, how often do we trek through days unaware of all He longs to give?
"Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!"
Isaiah 30:18
"Blessed are those who keep my ways."
Proverbs 8:32
We parents want our children to succeed and God's heart is for us too. He longs for us to choose right over wrong, to renounce sin, to pick the better way of listening to His commands. His desire is that we would fear Him, obey Him, not because we have to or we just want a reward, but because we love Him.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
John 14:15
He holds mysteries and joys, the kinds of gifts that parents love to bestow upon their children.
Yet, how often do we trek through days unaware of all He longs to give?
"Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!"
Isaiah 30:18
"Blessed are those who keep my ways."
Proverbs 8:32
We parents want our children to succeed and God's heart is for us too. He longs for us to choose right over wrong, to renounce sin, to pick the better way of listening to His commands. His desire is that we would fear Him, obey Him, not because we have to or we just want a reward, but because we love Him.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
John 14:15
I can only imagine how He must look upon me...when I fumble and flail and choose wrong, when my faith is weak and I worry. How His Father's heart must break when He owns it all and longs to give the secret rewards that are His to His children.
Every gift is in the palm of the Giver's hand and He rewards those who seek Him. He is trustworthy.
"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God
must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Hebrews 11:6
Every gift is in the palm of the Giver's hand and He rewards those who seek Him. He is trustworthy.
"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God
must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Hebrews 11:6
How the Father must rejoice, and the angels with Him, when a child of His chooses right. With great, encompassing, and patient LOVE He honors those who draw near to Him, those who follow His commands. He honors with grace upon grace and I feel how He must feel tonight...as I honor my children for their hearts in this moment, as I reward them for choosing well.
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights."
James 1:17
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights."
James 1:17
How joyous the gift of giving! How much more exhilarating to give than receive! How miraculous the gift of eternal life that's waiting, full of secret rewards, for those who choose faith in Christ above all. How blessed to hear His whispers this evening as my heavenly Father gently reminds me through my children's eyes of how He feels for me.
"And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him."
Hebrews 5:9
"And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him."
Hebrews 5:9
