Praiseworthy Deeds
As a parent, I think a lot about the legacy I am leaving behind to my children. I hope to leave behind an inheritance and pass down meaningful heirlooms. I want to ensure that they have amazing memories of their childhood… all the trips we took and fun things we did as a family.
But what about the spiritual legacy? What stories of God’s praiseworthy acts in my life do I want my children to know?
One of the Ebenezers (markers of God’s faithfulness) that I want my children to remember is the birth of my daughter. I had a peaceful pregnancy that nearly ended in tragedy. She was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck four times, sunnyside up, and gray. Her lifeless body was passed across the room by a sea of nurses and rushed to the NICU.
But God.
He put breath in her lungs. The doctors told us to look for effects like physical or developmental delays because of the lack of oxygen. They said some might not show up for years.
But God. We spent years worrying about “side effects of the cord” as we called it. Never has there been any delay.
What does this have to do with The Night Before, Keirstin?
Everything, actually. This is part of what it means to prepare for worship.
Worship doesn’t begin when we walk through the church doors on Sunday morning.
Worship begins when we teach our children to recognize who God is and remember what He has done.
Packing the bags and preparing for worship is pivotal today. But, one day our children may not remember what we packed for church on Saturday night. They may remember the story we told them about the God who was faithful.
Let’s make Sunday morning a Saturday night decision together.
Weekly Challenge
Today, instead of just making sure that everyone is bathed, shoes are found, bags are packed, and alarms are set, consider sitting down around the table and saying,
“Let me tell you about a time God was faithful.”
Tell your family a story. Something you were afraid of. Something you prayed for. How God moved. How He changed you.
Family Conversation Starter
How does what we heard today change the way we will live tomorrow?
One simple question can lead to deeper conversation.
Scripture for the Week
We will not hide them from their children, but will tell a future generation the praiseworthy acts of the Lord,his might, and the wondrous works he has performed. He established a testimony in Jacob and set up a law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children so that a future generation—children yet to be born—might know. They were to rise and tell their children so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God’s works, but keep his commands.
Psalm 78:4-7
Our children’s faith grows when we tell stories of His faithfulness.
A Prayer for Your Family
Lord, thank You for the amazing things You have done in our lives. Thank you for the praiseworthy deeds you have worked out in our lives. Let us not forget those. Lord, recall to our minds the stories we must tell our children. Give us space in the busyness of life to have sweet, calm moments to tell our children of your goodness. Amen.
TNB Collective
TNB Collective is a weekly newsletter that arrives in your inbox on
Saturday mornings at 8:15a.
Each week there is a TNB Collective Exclusive deal.
If you are interested in more information on this week's exclusive deal,
subscribing to TNB Collective, or something else, please fill out the form below.
