Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Day 21: Responsibility

Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. Galatians 6:4-5 (The Message)

As I read these verses, I was struck again with the importance of allowing and encouraging each of my children to explore what their own unique gifts to the world might be. I have no doubt they will take vastly different paths in life. I cannot wait to see what plans God has for them.

I cringe when I think about the inevitable comparisons that will be made between them as siblings. Who is smarter? More athletic? More popular? More successful? I pray that the Lord will give me wisdom to handle each of these painful moments in a way that lovingly points them back to the reality of their unique strengths and how mightily the Lord can use them. I love a quote from Max Lucado that says "Each person is packed ON PURPOSE and WITH A PURPOSE."

Lord, help my children grow to be responsible individuals. Guide them toward the path You have planned for them. Help them to take personal responsibility for honing in on their gifts and becoming good stewards of the talents and abilities You instill in them. Finally Lord, strengthen me as their mother with the wisdom, understanding and compassion necessary to nurture those gifts along the way. Amen.

The framework for my posts this month was adapted from Bob Hostetler's 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Kids.

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