CHILDREN!

This picture was on the website of their Christian school where, the other week, their annual Bible Conference was being held. Here they are with their buddies, Kai, Jonathan, and Jim, praying for the speakers and listeners. Unprompted. Unbidden. Unforced. They’re just … praying. An impromptu prayer meeting, its only motivation the tenderness of their hearts and sensitivity to their God.

Not that I had anything to do with it, but as the uncle of two of these warriors in prayer—John and Jacob—I am immensely proud! I can imagine what it must be like for believing parents to see their children walking with God. Worth it all, isn’t it—the pain, the pouring out of lives, the years of toilsome parenting?

For I rejoiced greatly
when brethren came
and testified to your truth
—how you are walking in truth.
I have no greater joy than this,
to hear of my children
walking in the truth.
3 John 3–4

The joy of knowing that our children—ones we have raised in the flesh and in the Spirit—are maturing, now seeking the Lord on their own. Unprompted. Unbidden. Unforced.

For the report of your obedience
has reached to all;
therefore I am rejoicing over you ….
Romans 16:19

After all, is there anything more important? Not their attaining lofty career goals, nor their obtaining envious financial stature; not their acquiring impressive academic credentials, nor their winning illustrious athletic fame. All these temporary achievements pale before the eternal benefits of a life walked with God.

What a privilege to be able to say, with Paul, …

We give thanks to God always
for all of you, making
mention of you in our prayers;
constantly bearing in mind
your work of faith
and labor of love
and steadfastness of hope
in our Lord Jesus Christ .…
You also became imitators
of us and of the Lord …
so that you became an example
to all the believers ….
For the word of the Lord
has sounded forth from you,
… in every place your faith
toward God has gone forth.
1 Thessalonians 1:2–4, 6–8

The faith of our children, the faith of those we have led to the Lord, the faith of those we have mentored, discipled, and taught in the ways of God—a remarkable faith, a reputed faith, a respected faith. What joy!

And may they continue in that direction, on that trajectory, with that momentum.

Therefore, my beloved brethren
whom I long to see,
my joy and crown,
in this way stand firm
in the Lord, my beloved.
Philippians 4:1

Our children—physical, spiritual—standing firm. What a magnificent legacy to leave. So let us keep parenting, continuing to invest our lives in those of our children. That they might walk worthily.

But we proved to be
gentle among you,
as a nursing mother tenderly
cares for her own children.
Having so fond an affection for you,
we were well-pleased
to impart to you
not only the gospel of God
but also our own lives ….
You know how we were
exhorting and encouraging
and imploring each one of you
as a father would
his own children,
so that you would walk in
a manner worthy of the God
who calls you into
His own kingdom and glory.
1 Thessalonians 2:7–8, 11–12

And today, those two, my nephews John and Jacob, are being baptized by their father!

For what thanks
can we render to God for you
in return for all the joy
with which we rejoice
before our God
on your account!
1 Thessalonians 3:9

Amen!