Girls To Grow

Nurturing moms in their walk with God

A Life Well-Lived

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My dad passed away on Monday, January 6, 2020.

It obviously wasn’t the way any of us planned to start the year, but it was all in God’s timing. My father was saved as a young adult, and we are fully confident that he went straight from here into the presence of God. Never is heaven more real than when someone we love dearly now resides there!

Our family was overwhelmed by the love and support shown by the many who knew and loved him. As the pastor of a church for 46 years, he certainly influenced a large number of people. But even more deeply than that, it was the impact he had as a person. He treated everyone he interacted with as though they were the most important person in the world.

Not only in life but now in his passing, my dad was a testimony and a motivation to me to live this one life well. There are many ways in which I want to be like him, but here are three that came to mind. Hopefully, they can be a reminder to all of us to use the time we’ve been given with purpose and intention.

1. Continually seek wisdom.

I loved the verse my brother used at the funeral service.

“And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.” ~1 Kings 4:29

Dad was wise because he spent substantial amounts of time in God’s Word. He was a humble man who knew he needed God’s help if he was going to be successful as a husband, father, and pastor.

I and many others benefited from that wisdom. Especially when it came to parenting issues, I was quick to ask how he might handle a certain situation. And the same wisdom that was available to him is there for us as we seek it in the Bible and pray for God’s guidance.

2. Be compassionate.

In the verse above, it says Solomon had “largeness of heart.” That would definitely describe my dad! He was always concerned about others and what they might be going through and wanted to help if he could.

My tendency is to be focused on myself. I need eyes to notice the needs of people around me and then respond quickly. The Holy Spirit can help me to “Bear…one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” [Galatians 6:2]

3. Live for eternity.

I have no doubt that my dad heard “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” He cared more about pleasing God than anyone else.

This week I was convicted as I read Mark 8:33 which talks about savoring the things of men more than the things of God. Perhaps we all have a tendency to focus on the here and now rather than viewing our thoughts, words, and actions from an eternal perspective. We’ll never regret time we spend in prayer, God’s Word, and reaching out to others.

There were hundreds of people at the visitation and funeral service last week to honor his memory. But they came because of what he did – which was care about people in order to introduce them to his Jesus whom he loved so much.

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3 Ways to Make a Difference in 2020

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I love a new year.

It’s a fresh slate, a clean start.

And fittingly, it comes at the end of the previous year, which is a natural time to reflect.

So did you take any time to look back over 2019? Did you look ahead at what you want to accomplish in 2020?

As I did both of those things, I decided that I want to be able to look back at the end of the next twelve months and see that I’ve made a difference. Honestly, I don’t know exactly what that looks like. But, alongside the other affirmation I’m writing down every morning, I’m writing this.

I am going to make a difference in 2020.

Do you want to make a difference this year? As I’ve begun digging deeper into how I can achieve this rather nebulous goal, I came up with three actions I can take that will definitely get me moving in the right direction. These are things we can all do this year!

1. Pray.

This seems so basic, but if we want to make a difference, it starts here. If we try to make a difference in our own strength or by doing things our own way, it’s not going to be profitable or lasting.

Instead, we can ask what need does God have for us to meet? Which people do we know who are craving a word of encouragement?

The answer might be obvious…but just as likely, it’s not. Yet if we’re in a habit of praying for those opportunities and asking God to guide us, He can show us exactly how and where we can make a difference.

James 5:16 says “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.“

While praying might sound easy enough, it can sometimes be difficult. Prayer is definitely a discipline! But we can see blessings in our own lives and others’ lives if we make prayer a priority.

Our part is to pray. Then we trust God to actually do the work. We may not even know in this life how our prayers affected a situation.

2. Give.

Hearing this word usually brings money to mind. And that can certainly be part of it. But what difference could we make if we gave our time? How about giving our best effort to what needs doing? Maybe it’s just a hot casserole delivered to a front door or a few hours of free babysitting.

I love me some comfort and some quiet. Yet giving can require self-sacrifice and inserting myself into places that I might not always choose for myself.

Galatians 5:13 says, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.“

Give a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on. Give up time that we wanted to spend on ourselves to serve someone else.

3. Submit.

Well, if we thought this process was going to be easy, this third one will remind us that it’s not. Are we really willing to submit our plans, our desires, and our will to God? Bottom line – that means we have to trust Him.

We can’t submit to what God wants and continue on with our own separate plan at the same time. We have to believe that wherever He leads and whatever He allows is for our good and His glory.

And no other person can make us submit. We are the only ones who have control over our will. Ouch! That means we also can’t blame anyone else if we fail to submit. No excuses.

James 4:6-7 says, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.“

We overcome our pride as we submit. We also become recipients of God’s grace in our humility.

I don’t want things to be the same at the end of 2020. Someone’s life could be better because I’ve interacted with them. A certain situation could have a positive outcome because I was involved. I hope you want that, too!

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Merry Christmas 2019

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So there’s no official family Christmas portrait this year, but we did get a quick photo of the four of us when we attended a performance of The Lion King a couple of weeks ago.

As we celebrate our Savior’s birth today, may our hearts be filled with the hope that His coming brings to each one of us.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” ~Isaiah 9:6-7

Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas!!

For the Woman Who Feels Like She’s Never Enough

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Often our inadequacies stare us right in the face.

Wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, employee, church member…the list is long. We have many roles to fill, many things we’re expected to do, to schedule, to handle.

And no matter how well we keep all the balls up in the air, at some point, one’s going to drop. And we can so easily get down on ourselves because we’ve failed again.

If you’re like me, you might jump to the assumption that I’m not loved because I’ve messed up.

Yes, I tell myself, I have to perform in order to be worthy of love. It’s important that I get it all right.

But that’s now how it works, at least not in God’s economy.

Because God loves us whether or not we spent thirty minutes reading our Bible this morning. His love isn’t based on our not missing a church service for the past three years. And He loves us even when we worry first and trust Him second.

Because if God’s love was based on our performance, it wouldn’t be love.

Does God want us to read our Bibles and go to church and totally trust Him? Yes, because He knows it will help us grow in our faith and ultimately be a better, Spirit-filled person.

But He loves us whether or not we do those things.

I had a conversation about this with my husband recently. Since our talk, I’ve written the following in my journal each morning.

I am loved because God loves me.

End of sentence. No if’s, and’s, or but’s.

What did I do to deserve that love? Nothing. What can I do that will cause Him to love me more? Nothing. What will make Him love me less? Nothing.

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” ~1 John 4:10

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” ~Ephesians 2:4-5

I’m not enough. You’re not enough. The woman at church with the perfect hair and adoring husband and obedient children – she’s not enough, either.

No matter how many good deeds we do or how often we pray or the sum of money we give, we will never be enough.

But we don’t have to be enough to be loved by God.

I just am. You just are.

Loved by God.

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7 Gifts I’d Like to Open That Won’t Be Under My Christmas Tree This Year

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Around this time of year, my husband and daughters ask me for a list of things I want for Christmas. I often have a hard time coming up with ideas for them!

However, in the weird way that my mind works sometimes, I started thinking about what it’d be like to create a list of spiritual “gifts” I’d like to receive. I came up with a list of those fairly quickly! Maybe it’s because I see many areas in my walk with Christ that need to improve.

No, these won’t be under my tree this year. But they’re available to all of us if we’re willing to submit ourselves to the teaching of God’s Word and His Holy Spirit.

So if spiritual things could be boxed up, here’s what I’d want to unwrap on Christmas morning.

1. An awareness of Jesus’ presence in my life every single day.

How often do we start our day with Him, then trudge through the remaining hours in our own strength and understanding. Or maybe that’s just me!

“The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

I’d like to live every day in the realization that Jesus is with me, and that God the Father is watching over and guiding me through every circumstance.

2. More trust and less worry.

I feel like I have grown in this area, but there’s definitely room for improvement! Do you tend to worry first, then move to trust? That’s my default mode, but I want trust to be my first response.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” ~Proverbs 3:5-6

“All worrying makes you King and God incompetent.” ~Ann Voskamp

3. Wisdom

This gift is priceless. We need it every day – in our marriage, our parenting, and other relationships. We need it for guidance in decision making. Wisdom is an incredibly valuable gift, and we’re told how to get it. It comes as we fear the Lord and ask Him for it.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” ~Proverbs 9:10

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” ~James 1:5

4. A heart full of worship.

Our God deserves our praise. This is a season when we sing about worshipping and adoring Him, but let’s make it a reality in our lives throughout the year. More than just words from our lips, our worship can flow from our souls as we bow our hearts before Him.

“Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.” ~1 Chronicles 16:23-25

5. A readiness to fight temptation with Scripture.

Having a Bible verse at the ready when we’re tempted to __________ [gossip/lose our temper/complain/allow bitterness in] will help us get victory over sin. That means we have to memorize verses that apply to whatever temptation we find ourselves facing. God’s Word has power over sin!

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” ~Psalm 119:11

6. Freedom from negative thoughts.

I don’t know about you, but I can so easily slip into a mental rant about a particular person or situation that I don’t feel is right. It would be much better to put my energy into praying about it and free up my mind for better things!

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” ~Philippians 4:8

7. Eyes to see the needs of others.

Often this is just a case of us needing to slow down and notice. We can also ask God to open our eyes to ways we can help anyone He brings across our path. Whether it’s sharing the gospel with a person who’s lost or easing a financial burden, the first step is to see the need.

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” ~Galatians 6:2

Is there another spiritual gift you find yourself in need of this Christmas season? How thankful we can be that the baby Jesus we’re celebrating provided a way for us to become the children of God and have access to all that He provides!

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What Are You Looking Forward to This Christmas?

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We’re just about to mid-December, and it’s an exciting time of year!

There are lots of words we could use to describe these weeks leading up to Christmas.

Frantic. Joyful. Crazy. Cheerful. Busy. Sparkly. Commercialized.

We can all likely relate to most of those. But the word I’ve been focusing on during this season is anticipation.

It’s that feeling you had as a child in the days leading up to Christmas. There was total excitement about what was coming on December 25th. You were filled with hope that one particular box under the tree held exactly what you’d asked for.

Perhaps we still experience some of that Christmas anticipation today. Let’s face it, though – it’s more likely to be the excitement we hope to see on our children’s faces when they open that special gift than it is about what we ourselves are receiving.

But as we move beyond the giving and receiving of gifts, I hope we take a few minutes to really anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

Anticipation is the act of looking forward. It’s expecting something good to happen. It includes an eagerness and an expectancy about what’s going to take place.

It reminds me of what can happen when we as women are in a serious dating relationship. At some point, you begin to anticipate that this special guy is going to ask you to marry him. You don’t know exactly when or where or how, but you know you’ve reached that point in the relationship.

This example reminds us that anticipation also involves an element of preparation. Because you believe something is going to happen, you do something to get ready. In this case, maybe you dress up and do your hair every time you get together. After all, you want to look nice since you never know when he might pop the question – and there are likely to be pictures involved!!

I think about the Jewish people who for so many years looked forward to the birth of the Messiah. They believed God’s promise to them and spent a long time anticipating His arrival.

One of those people we know about specifically is Simeon. We read about him in Luke 2:25-32.

“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”

What an exciting day for Simeon when what he had been anticipating came to pass! Not only did God fulfill all those Old Testament prophecies for the entire nation of Israel, but He kept His promise to this one individual.

We have a lot to anticipate in these next couple of weeks. Enjoy the Christmas parties, the gifts, the family gatherings, and some yummy foods.

But let’s make time to anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Let’s do some preparing of our hearts spiritually.

Maybe that looks like doing an Advent reading or devotional every day. (I use Ann Voskamp’s The Greatest Gift.) It could just mean dedicating a few minutes each day to getting still and being quiet long enough to ponder what Christ’s coming really meant for our world and for you as an individual.

Look forward. Be ready. For unto us a Savior is born.

P.S. After writing this post, I looked up previous Christmas posts I’d written to link up below. And do you know what I posted about around this time last year? The word anticipation. Guess I still need to work on my Christmas focus!

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you click on a product link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small percentage from any sales.  This does not affect your price in any way. Thank you for supporting Girls to Grow through your purchases!

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He’s the Lord of Our Ruined and Empty Places

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Way back in January, I decided to choose an audio program to help me listen to the whole Bible in a year. I chose the Bible in One Year 2019 plan in the YouVersion app on my phone. It includes a portion from Psalms or Proverbs, then a New Testament and Old Testament passage each day. I usually listen while I’m getting ready in the morning – putting on makeup, doing my hair, etc.

I’ve been in Ezekiel lately, and I’ll be honest, there are days it’s hard to focus. But one morning last week, I heard the following verse, and it caught my attention.

“Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the Lord build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it.” ~Ezekiel 36:36

The Israelites had been through some tough times. They mostly brought these difficulties on themselves because they followed false gods and refused to obey God’s commands. Yet in this passage, God promises to restore what has been lost.

While we live in a totally different culture than those Israelites, we, too, face troubling things – some of our own making, others not. So today, do you have any ruined places in your life? Are there parts of your life that feel desolate?

Maybe it’s a dream you’ve held on to for a long time that’s finally collapsed. Perhaps you’ve been hurt emotionally and are having a hard time recovering. It could be that some area of your life has been devastated and you don’t think it will ever be repaired. When you look around, there’s only a pile of rubble left.

What about desolate ground? Are there relationships that used to be sweet that aren’t anymore? Maybe a place where you used to be flourishing is now empty and barren. As you look ahead to 2020, your outlook is dreary and bleak. For some reason, you could feel isolated and abandoned.

If any of those thoughts resonate with you, do you know what we can find in this verse that Ezekiel penned?

Hope.

God is the builder of ruined places. If it were left up to us, we’d only flounder around and make a bigger mess of things. But our all-wise God says that He will build the ruined places. And we know we can trust Him to do it well.

“Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” ~Psalm 3:2-3

Then I love the thought of God planting in ground that was seen as desolate. He can take what is abandoned and barren, and cause new life to grow. Will it be exactly what was growing there before? Maybe, maybe not. It could be even better. It could be that what was there before was not best for us. The old growth needed to be uprooted so that a new thing could grow.

“The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.” ~Lamentations 3:24

What God chooses to do is always as a testimony for His honor and glory. He rebuilt and replanted for the Israelites so that the heathen around them would know that He had done it.

If you’ve lost hope today, take heart. The God we serve can rebuild from the ruins, and make something that’s even more glorious. He can cause beautiful things to regrow from ground we thought could never be used again.

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” ~Romans 15:13

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10 Things to Be Grateful for This Thanksgiving

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It’s just one week away. I’m so looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday when the four of us will be gathered around our dining room table for the first time in three months. There will be plenty of food on that table, but the best part of the day will be the people around it.

I’m sure we can all find plenty to be thankful for, not just during this Thanksgiving season, but all year round. Our life circumstances may look quite different from one another, but certainly, we are all blessed in many ways.

I decided to list out some of the things I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving. These are likely on your list as well! Just for fun, they all start with the letter P.

1. People.

There’s the obvious, our family and close friends. But go beyond that. Remember that teacher who impacted you as a child, the high school coach who poured into you, the friend now moved away who helped you through the first days of new motherhood.

So many people touch our lives over the years. Be grateful for them. And maybe find a way to let them know about it.

2. Providence.

Thank God for His hand in your life. We’d likely be amazed if we knew how many circumstances He arranges, the people He puts into our lives for a specific purpose, and how He uses events to prepare us for bigger things in the future.

3. Promises.

How wonderful and reassuring are the promises of God! The one who never changes says He will never leave nor forsake us. He will meet our needs, give us wisdom, and is even now preparing a place for us in Heaven.

4. Purpose.

We all have a purpose. Maybe, like me at times, you lose sight of that. Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.“

Let’s be thankful that God has a work laid out for each of us to do. May we find and do His calling.

5. Peace.

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us that when we bring our concerns to God in prayer, He will give us peace. Recently I prayed several times for peace about a specific situation, and after a few days, I realized that I have it! Not much has changed, but I’m no longer worried about it.

That was a great reminder to me that peace is an immeasurable gift. We can’t earn or buy it, but as children of God, He gives it freely.

6. Pardon.

If we’ve accepted Jesus as our Savior, our sins have been pardoned, forgiven. Salvation through Jesus Christ provides us a home in heaven, a place where we will live with God for all eternity. This is the greatest gift for which we can give thanks.

7. Prayer.

It’s how we talk to God. I’m sure I underutilize this honor we have to approach God and communicate with Him. Let’s be thankful that we don’t have a God who is far off. Rather, we can approach Him with our fears, worries, and needs at any time, and He will hear us.

8. Provision.

God provides for each one of us. Likely none of our lives look exactly the same, but He meets our needs. Matthew 6:31-32 says, “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.“

9. Present.

Nope, not as in a gift – Christmas is still a month away! Present as in today, right now, this very minute.

Be thankful for where you are, not just thankful for what happened in the past or looking toward when you can be thankful in the future. Give thanks for where you are right now. And be present in the present, with the people around you today.

10. Pumpkin pie.

Or pecan or sweet potato or apple! It does start with a p, so I couldn’t resist! But seriously, most of us in America will be surrounded with a bounty of food on Thanksgiving Day. Between the turkey, dressing, and mashed potatoes, let’s be thankful for food that not only sustains us, but that we enjoy eating.

Please let me know something you’re thankful for this Thanksgiving. (And bonus points if it starts with a P – ha!)

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2019 Christmas Gift Guide for Teen Girls

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I have a countdown app on my phone. It tells me how many days till our oldest daughter comes home from college for Thanksgiving (12) and Christmas break (27). I don’t have a countdown to Christmas day, but I’ve seen lots of people on social media already doing their Christmas decorating, so I know it will be here before we know it!

Our 16-year-old has started playing Christmas music in the car, though we won’t do any decorating here until the day after Thanksgiving. We still get a live Christmas tree every year, so our older daughter wants us to do that together while she’s home.

I used to be great about getting most of my Christmas shopping done early. That changed when my girls became teenagers. For one thing, they’re likely to change their minds on what they want fairly frequently. They’re also at the point where they usually choose exactly what they want and I just buy it and wrap it!

However, if you’re shopping for teenage girls this Christmas, I thought I’d share this list of things we either already own or that are on my girls’ list for this year – at least the initial version of it!

We recently re-did our 16-year-old’s bedroom, and she’d like to add this set of Photo Clip String Lights to her room

We bought this Lighted Vanity Mirror for my daughter when she went to college. She can put makeup on while sitting on her bed or at the desk in her dorm room if there’s limited space at the bathroom mirror.

Speaking of makeup, she bought herself this Makeup Brush Set and really likes it.

Our younger daughter is definitely into larger earrings, and leather ones are nice and light! (The Leather Earrings she currently owns I found on Etsy.)

One of our girls has requested a bar necklace that can be personalized with her name or initials.

I considered getting my daughter this Reversible Tote Bag when she left for college. I didn’t make the purchase then, but I’m thinking it might make it under the Christmas tree!

We have a small collection of hair tools already, but I’ve heard good things about this Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer Hot Air Brush.

Since their dad’s a Georgia Bulldogs fan, this NCAA Women’s Hoodie would be a popular choice for either one of our daughters. (Lots of other teams are available as well.)

This Cable Knit Pom Pom Throw looks so cozy!

Our 18-year-old’s college roommate has a gravity/weighted blanket, and now she wants to try one! Let me know if you have any experience with these.

Another item for the college girl – rain boots!!

The Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera is a pricier item that’s at the top of our younger daughter’s list at the moment.

Both of our girls like to write, so this cute Llama Journal would be a nice gift.

Our older daughter already owns a version of this Journaling Bible and now our other daughter wants one.

Our younger daughter went through this 3-Minute Devotions for Teen Girls: 180 Encouraging Readings awhile ago and really enjoyed it.

I hope you will find some of these ideas helpful as you shop for the teen girls on your Christmas list!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you click on a product link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small percentage from any sales.  This does not affect your price in any way. Thank you for supporting Girls to Grow through your purchases!

3 Prayers to Pray As We Learn to Let Go of Our Teenagers

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It’s a good thing that letting go of our children is a gradual process. First, we walk them into kindergarten. Later, we drive them to their first sleepover, and eventually, they take off for a week at camp.

Our oldest daughter has been away at college for almost three months now. I confess that I’m still in the process of learning to let her go. Over the weekend, my husband and I were discussing a decision she will be facing at some point, and he said, “You do realize how little control you have over this situation, don’t you?”

Well yes, yes I do, but that doesn’t make it easy! However, I’m so thankful I have him to keep me grounded about these things. And I realized the truth of what he said – that I was fretting over things I couldn’t control. When that happens, I know it’s time to take it to God in prayer.

I’ve written before about praying God’s Word over our children and about journaling prayers for our children. As I thought about how I wanted to apply that to this process of letting go, I took three of my favorite – and very familiar – verses, and wrote out prayers from them.

1. Philippians 4:6-7

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

These were the first verses that came to mind because I KNEW I was worrying over a particular situation. Here’s my prayer (or at least the general idea of it. The one I actually wrote out has a few specific details that I’m not sharing here.)

Dear Lord, Help me not to worry about this decision our daughter is making. Thank you that I can bring it to you in prayer. I’m also thankful that she is learning to be independent. Please give her wisdom and discernment as she handles this situation. Most of all, may you be honored and glorified with the outcome. Give me your peace regarding this area of my daughter’s life, I pray.

2. Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

These verses have been such an encouragement to me through much of my life.

God, I trust you to work in my daughter’s life and to do what you know is best for her. I may not understand your ways, but I believe that you love and care for her even more than I do. May she seek your will and allow you to direct her steps. Help her to follow the commands in these verses and know the peace and joy that come from trusting you.

3. Romans 8:26-28

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Sometimes I know exactly how I need to pray about something. But there are other situations I’ve faced in life in which I haven’t been totally clear on how I should pray. But the Holy Spirit knows the mind of God, and He can intercede on my behalf.

Heavenly Father, I’m not even sure how to pray about this situation in my daughter’s life. May your Holy Spirit guide me in how to pray and direct my prayer. You know far better than I what is best for her. I ask that your will would be done. Thank you for the assurance that you can work all things together for her good and for your own honor and praise.

We will always be parents and hopefully will continue to have influence in our children’s lives. But as they take steps toward independence, may we be faithful in turning our concerns over to God in prayer and trusting Him to do His work in them.

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