- 3440 West 13th St.
Wichita, KS 67203 - © 2009 Olivet Baptist Church,
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Priscilla starts a new job next Monday. She has been working a part-time job at the Post Office since losing her full-time job last February. In that same period of time, her husband decided he didn’t want to be married anymore and filed for divorce. Priscilla and Lauren moved in with Cindy and me in July so we could help them through this difficult time. Through all of this I have never seen her despair or doubt God. She has faithfully kept her hope and confidence solidly on Him. She has dealt with the hurt and anger over the divorce and the frustration of not having a full-time job, but never lost her hope in God.
Last Monday night (the night she was offered the new job) she and I were taking Lauren to the mall to play on the bungee bounce and eat in the Food Court. As we were driving I told her how proud I was of the way she had dealt with all the garbage of the past ten months - how she had faced the adversity and drama. I told her that I was deeply impressed with how she had faced these issues without losing her faith and hope in God.
She looked over at me and said, “Dad, didn’t you teach us girls that we could trust God in every situation, that He is always good and that He uses everything that comes at us for our good?” I said, “Yes.” Her response was, “Well…?”
I could only smile in gratitude to God for her response. This was a good reminder that my daughters actually listened over the years and watched as Cindy and I sought to live out our faith before them. There were times that we weren’t sure they were paying attention, times when we thought we were talking to brick walls - but they were listening and watching!
Parents, your children are listening and watching! Show them what it means to really walk with God, not just in words but in actions. Let them see your struggles and how you depend on God even when it doesn’t make sense humanly speaking. Your children are taking mental and spiritual notes that will prepare them for their own tests down the line. They may give you that “I’m really not listening” look, but they are! Count on it.
Psalm 33.20-22 says, “We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our Help and our Shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy Name. May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in You.”
Your children are watching and listening. What are they seeing and hearing from you about trusting God?
