A Gift Worth Giving to Your Children

“My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.”   – Proverbs 23:26

The following is a devotional from Jack Miller, contained in his book Saving Grace, for May 4th.  It is shared by Rich Carroll for our benefit:

Many children from Christian families have not given their hearts to God.  Why have parents lost the hearts of their children?  One reason is that often parents have not really given their own hearts to God.  We are asking our children to be something that we are not.  When God says, ‘Give me your hearts,’ he is asking for the whole person – not just outward behavior, but the inward bent of our lives.  That really puts a tight shoe on the foot.  Because we all have a tendency to fake it – not just preachers like me – but all of us.

Giving your heart to God means a deep surrender to the will of God, which is not easy.  We quickly discover that we are already committed to our own will – to not doing anything dangerous, embarrassing, upsetting, or uncomfortable.  But God says, ‘My child, I want you to know my character and my person and my promises so well that you can trust me as I lead you through darkness.  You may not be able to see in the dark, but you can be confident because you hand will be in my hand and I know every step of the way.’

Give your children the gift of weeing you walk with your heavenly Father.  Give them the gift of seeing you surrender your desires to Christ.  Then watch, pray, love, and wait in faith for God to be at work in their hearts.