My son Xander turned 1 today…

where did the time go? It seems like only 6 months or less have flown by.

I am so blessed by all my children, not the least of all Xander, my little smiling man. He is a joy, a delight and can warm the coldest and brighten the darkest of days. I am thankful for the gift in our children, each one different, and Xander has filled me with wonder that yet more love can come out of this heart.

I think a lot these days about the world that my children are entering. And that gets me to thinking about the children that I am sending out into the world. will I have done enough? will I have prepared them? will they be able to stand up under all that is against them?

so I have been starting to pray, and pray more specifically.

God, Father, Lord, you are in the heavens and we here on earth. We praise your name, your works inumerable, your attributes infinite, your perfection grand and your might without equal. You have showered blessing upon blessing and I feel and am so unworthy of your gifts. These children you have put in my possession, how can I respond? You love us who deserve it not and you care for those that often turn away. You use the weak. We cannot understand your ways. We praise your mercy and grace and we seek your glory.

God, my children, they are yet young. God preserve them for your name. Keep them for your glory. let them not wander from your path, let them not fall away from your presence. Help me God impart some inkling of your greatness that I struggle to see. Help me teach them and lead them to the foot of your cross. Help me God to raise them to honor you and live for you and not for this world. I pray that I would lead out in that as their example. God help me raise my daughters to seek you and trust in you. Help me Father raise my son to look to you, to follow you, to not seek his own way, but yours. Help me to do the same Lord, that he might see you in me, and me living in you. You have brought him to one year, give him many more to know you and to live for you if you would. Make him your own and let him know you closer and sweeter. Help me to know you. Help me to encourage him towards you. God without you, all is futile, meaningless. Help me God to honor and glorify you with and through my children. Let none of them go from your hand, draw them and keep them, for eternity.

God I’m a faulty man. I’m weak where I shouldn’t be, prideful where I shouldn’t be. God have mercy on me and use me in my children’s life despite of me and my faults and let me not cloud their vision of you.

My children, my family are yours. I pray you keep us. use us. make us your own. remake us as you see fit. God help us obey, help us love, help us submit to your call, your will and your way.

In Jesus Name…
amen.