Key Scripture:

“I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.” Ecclesiastes 3:14-15

Devotional:

God is not surprised by anything. When we mess up or don’t follow what He has called us to do, God isn’t up in heaven asking “Well, what do I do now?” He knows every hair on our head, every desire in our heart and everything that has and will happen. Not only that but He also knows how He is going to use everything that is good or bad for our good and His glory!

As parents, there are times when we can feel anxious or overwhelmed about our children. We are at a point with our oldest where it’s time to start looking for where he wants to go to college. This can feel like such a weighty responsibility, but when I sit back and think about this verse, I am reminded that although I may not know the answer to this yet, God does! His plan is perfect! Psalms 97:3-7 says, “For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.”

How overwhelming it can be to think our God created and is King over all the world and yet, He cares about where my child is going to go to college. Not only does He care, but He has planned those steps before we even take them. We are just called to listen to Him and take the next right steps He is calling us to move toward.

Jesus shows us this over and over in His teachings on earth. Just take the next step. When He performs His first miracle in John 2, Mary tells the servants do whatever he tells, so they follow Him and get to witness a miracle. What miracle have we missed because we didn’t take the time to ask Jesus what He wants us to do next, and then listen and follow the steps?

Take the time to pray and ask God what your next right step is for your children, knowing He already has each step planned out.

Questions for Reflection:

• Reflect upon the comfort that the knowledge of God’s divine parenting plan gives you in your own parenting practice. 
• What does it mean to “fear God” when it comes to parenting? How can you instill a reverence for God that shows your child how to have a relationship with Him?