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Recently I wrote about future plans that my children dream about. But the future is built on a series of steps taken one at a time. For example, one doesn’t wake up a doctor. They decide in High School they would like to attend a college that feeds into a good medical school. They must maintain good grades. Perhaps obtain an undergraduate degree in Science or some other discipline that provides a foundation. Then there are years of medical school, residencies, and finally you obtain that designation that allows you those two letters after your name you’ve dreamed of: MD.
Similarly, the plans my children are making, though still childishly conceived, some of those plans need action now. For all of these steps, I’ve prayed for my children:
A mate: All of my children say things like, “When I get married…” so I know the intent is there, ever so matter-of-factly. But I pray those that yet nebulous people who will win the hearts of my children. Will they be Christians, and help my child draw closer to God? Will that person have baggage they will bring into the relationship, as mine do? Will this person be faithful to my child and love them as their own body (Ephesians 5:28)? Though these future mates are but mere children now, I pray for them. I pray for their spiritual development. I pray for their family life, since our upbringing shapes our mindset about the world. I pray they will love my child, be faithful and do their utmost to help my child get to Heaven.
A career: On any given day my kids will tell you what they want to be when they grow up. Often before the sentence is finished, they will tack on another career path that has nothing to do with the first (“I want to be farmer and a guy who does back flips on stage!!”) I pray for the path my children eventually take with respect to a career. Will it require them to miss services on the Lord’s Day? Is it something that might conflict with their religious convictions, or pose spiritual dilemmas for them? Will they stick with it? Will they enjoy it enough to satisfy them professionally?
What will the workforce be like when my kids grow up? Will it still allow flexible schedules and telecommuting options for parents who don’t wish to put their children in daycare, or have onsite childcare for those who do? Will the Mommy Track still be a barrier if my daughter wants to re-enter the workforce after caring for a child who is now old enough for school?
Temptations: None of my children have hit their teens yet. All are still full of childlike innocence and wonder. But, there are many evils lurking in the few short years ahead. Will my children surround themselves with true friends who have their best interests at heart? Will my children mistake an infatuation for “true love”? Will my children compromise their morals and beliefs just to “fit in”? What if my child commits a sin or contemplates it…will he or she be able to come to us and talk about it and get godly counsel? Will my children be responsible in assuming greater independence, and exercise good judgment?
Parenting: Will my child be a loving, nurturing parent? Will the memories of their earliest childhood impact their ability to parent? Will they raise their children “in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4)?
Moral strength: Life is filled with trials and temptations. Married couples argue, people are irresponsible with finances, work stress impacts family life, loved ones die, babies don’t always come when you want them to, or come when you aren’t ready for them to. I pray my children can deal with the things everyday life as an adult can bring.
I don’t expect that my children will be perfect. I don’t expect that their future lives will be perfect. But I do know that I can greatly influence the outcome by how I parent now, and by continuing to pray for them.
