Tammy on Tuesday »

Have you ever likened your journey with the Lord to a series of “Let’s Make a Deal” episodes? I did for way too long.

You do remember the show, don’t you? For the younger readers, they’ve apparently re-made it. But back in the day, the audience would wear crazy costumes, and it seemed the more eye-catching they were, the better their chance of being picked to make a deal. It seemed they just had to do enough to get noticed. If you were picked, you might leave quite a bit better off than you came…but you might not.

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Here’s a basic description of the game from years ago. 

The format of Let’s Make a Deal involves selected members of the studio audience, referred to as “traders,” making deals with the host. In most cases, a trader will be offered something of value and given a choice of whether to keep it or exchange it for a different item. The program’s defining game mechanism is that the other item is hidden from the trader until that choice is made. The trader thus does not know if they are getting something of equal or greater value or a prize that is referred to as a “zonk,” an item purposely chosen to be of little or no value to the trader.

If a contestant did well, they would bask in the glory of their good fortune. The ones who didn’t win often just seemed to have a bit of bad luck. Giving up their guaranteed gift for what was behind door number two, they waited with hope and expectation as it opened. Behind it was a goat or other random farm animal or something else of no value to them. They were “zonked.” Now they are left with nothing. Too bad they’re so unlucky.

Do you see where I’m going with this? How lucky do you feel?  

“Let’s Make A Deal” was the story of my life for many years with the Lord, although I wouldn’t have said it or even realized it for much of the time.

  • Do enough good things to get noticed daily. And if you blow it, you might as well forget it for the day because God might be angry. So, clean it up and get back to “getting noticed” again tomorrow.
  • What do I do with this gift of life, my current situation, God has placed in my hands? He’s asking me to put it back in His hands and trust Him with what’s behind door number 2. What if it’s a “zonk?” What if I give up this “life I can’t complain about” for what’s behind that door and find that it’s a trick or, much worse than what I have, not better? 
  • Can I trust God? If I risk on Him, will I regret it?

Yesterday morning, my youngest daughter, Sophie was sharing with me about a situation in her life with which she’s been struggling. She said that God was asking her to give to Him, to surrender it. She thought she had. She didn’t realize that even in her surrender, she had managed to slip in a deal.  

“God, I’ll give this to you. Since I’m going to show you I trust You by letting go, would you honor my surrender by giving it right back?

In her heart, as she felt God asking her to surrender she struggled with thoughts like:

But, God, this is a good thing.

Why do I have to give this up if it’s a good thing?

What’s the point?  

Can’t I walk with You and have this too?

I can relate in so many ways! Many, many times over the years I’d be going about my life, minding my buisness and God would ask me to give something to Him.

“But God, why?” God often took opportunities to show me how willing or reluctant I was to trust Him. Every time I was willing to give EVEN THE GOOD THINGS back to Him, He gave me more in return.

At 16, God is already asking Sophie for all of her heart and all of her plans and possessions. It’s one of the most loving things our God does. He wants it all. How good it is of Him to teach us that we can trust Him! He’s not out to make a deal.  

But, could it be that we are?

Friend, there is no door number 2 with God. He’s not out to ask for what’s in our hands just to make an exchange for what He would rather we have, whether we like it or not.

No! He takes what’s in our hands, draws us into His embrace, and walks with us, leading us into all the good He has stored up for us, what He knows we cherish more than anything else because that’s how He designed it.

He gives us Himself.

Colossians 1:27 says of believers, “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

John 17:3 says, And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

The same God that saves us eternally wants us to know that true living is simply knowing Him and knowing Jesus.  No deal making. Just intimacy with the Father.

Further down in John 17, we see this intimate nature of God through Christ made available to us. Here Christ is praying to God and says of us:

20 I do not ask for these only (those who have believed), but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

He’s not interested in making deals. He’s making sons and daughters. Life is not a series of deals we make with God. He longs to draw close. He is not offering us an invite to the party but a seat at His family dinner table.

Let’s stop making deals and surrender all to God today. His glory is everlasting. His goodness knows no bounds. He is for you! And, through Christ’s sacrifice, God has done everything necessary for us to come to Him and experience the Hope of glory!  

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32

A great resource for your encouragement is – The Gospel Primer for Christians by Milton Vincent.  It will help you understand that you don’t have to go to God and say, “Let’s Make a Deal.”

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  • Mary Ellen Hall - Thanks Tammy I really enjoyed that and you’re very true God doesn’t want to deal he wants all of us when we have to offer I surrender all

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The other day, I talked with a young mom with two adorable little girls (one about three years old and the other about eight months). We stood talking for quite a while, and I noticed these darling girls were so content and well-behaved. I looked down periodically and found the baby staring back at me from her car seat with a big grin, two teeny, tiny teeth peeking out through her smile. The mom shared with me that her great desire was to mother them well. She told me they are such precious, good little girls. I could see how much she loved them.

We carried on in conversation, and she told me she felt a wrestling inside. She said she felt God was stirring her, but she wasn’t sure to what. It wasn’t long before I realized one issue she faced was that she feared upsetting the routine of their lives in response to what God might be speaking to her heart for the sake of these precious girls. She feared giving up control. And I get it. Who would want to mess up this!? 

 As I began to comprehend her concerns, I told her, “You will never regret allowing the plans of God to upset your routine.” Don’t get me wrong; I made every effort while my children grew to create a safe and loving environment in our home. I do my best to teach them the truth and provide all they need to grow into healthy, strong adults in every way. However, over the years, when God prompted, we responded, even if it upset our plans or routine. And oddly enough, He always took care of my children and their needs in the process. Not a shabby deal to have the Sovereign God of the Universe watching over the ones I love while I walk in obedience to Him. I often have to remind myself that God created me for a purpose that HE intended to fulfill. All His works are good. I need only to say “yes.”

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Psalm 138:8

He desires to lead us in every area of life. Not just child-rearing. Do you know what I’ve found? EVERY TIME I stepped out into the unknown following after Jesus, I didn’t regret it. In fact, it revealed blessings that you cannot see or understand except for on the other side of “yes.” How can I describe the other side of “yes?” I guess the best word would be MORE.  

More living.

More faith.

More freedom.

More joy.

More JESUS. 

I’m wondering today. What keeps you from the other side of “yes?” What is God stirring inside you that you have reasoned away because it might “mess up a really good thing?” I trust the Holy Spirit is pressing in right now on hearts where God is working. 

Or let me flip this around. Perhaps you feel that the burden you bear right now is too overwhelming for you to answer the call of Jesus to step out in some way. Maybe you feel as though you couldn’t possibly add one more thing to your plate. You aren’t protecting a “really good thing.” You’re just trying to “hold things together.” But the call of Jesus is never a call to burden you down.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matt. 11:28-30

While I am at it, maybe God is calling you to leave a habit or heart attitude behind. It might be big, or it might be small. Maybe He’s asking you to follow Him to freedom from addiction and the brokenness that led you there. Unforgiveness. Bitterness. Shame. I could go on. But again, I trust that God is pressing in on your heart where you need Him to speak. He’s good like that.

Friend, all that is in God (love, joy, peace, freedom, wisdom, power, and more) is available to us through obedience to Him. It all lies on the other side of “yes.”

The simplicity of the life of a believer – a follower of Christ – is continually saying “yes” to His leading, day by day, moment by moment. Trusting Him. Allowing Him to guide you.  So, fully surrender your heart and plans to Him. Why?

This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. 

Psalm 18:30

Whether you are finding it hard to “let go of a good thing” or you are exhausted from “trying to hold things together,” I invite you to pray this prayer from Psalm 25:5 with me today.  (Father) Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

He is waiting for you. He is calling to you. He will give you comfort and rest. Maybe today’s the day to find out what’s on the other side of “yes.”

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The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!

Psalm 34:7-9


Have you experienced firsthand the goodness of God? Have you tasted? Have you personally felt His presence in dark times? Have you run to Him and found Him to be your refuge and strength, a very present help in time of need? (Ps. 46:1)

It’s a beautiful thing.  Isn’t it?

It’s times like these that make the silence of Jesus deafening.  

It’s times like these that cause us to doubt Him when the darkness lingers, and we find ourselves in the waiting. He’s come through before. Why not now? Do you find yourself in such a place?

I know some friends of Jesus that can relate.

You probably know the familiar story of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. This family was close to Jesus. They had Him in their home. Martha cooked for Him. Mary sat before Him. You can read of other accounts in the scriptures about their relationship as well. We know from the story I’m about to share in John 11, Jesus loved them dearly. I’m talking about the story when Lazarus became very sick. He was so sick; he was at death’s door. So his sisters sent for Jesus. Perhaps before now, they thought not to bother Him, but it was now time for Jesus to show up and show His power. Jesus was the only one who had what Lazarus needed – healing power.

John 11:1-5 says,

1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

Jesus said in verse 4, “this illness does not lead to death.” But, if you know the rest of the story, it actually did. Lazarus died. So what did Jesus mean?  

My entire post today is centered around one little word. It’s a word that creates a paradox and maybe even confusion for the reader – at least at first glance. Let’s look at verse five. “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus…

(Right, we established that. Jesus loved them)

He loved them, SO when he heard Lazarus was ill, HE STAYED TWO DAYS LONGER in the place where He was.

Let’s get this straight. Jesus’s friends sent word to Jesus. They needed Him and they needed Him right away. They did their part. Remember what we read in Psalm 34? Blessed are those who take refuge in Him. They sought refuge from this crisis in Jesus. Now, when it mattered most to them, they knew their good friend Jesus would come through. Right?

But the story says Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus, SO HE STAYED where He was. How does that even make sense?

Having you found yourself calling upon Jesus with the expectation that He will come and rescue you from your present darkness only to find yourself continuing on in the relentless waiting?

We learn in life the hard lesson that we cannot count on people because they can let us down. They may not mean to, but disappointment is inevitable. Maybe moments flash through your mind even now when you were let down by others.  It’s painful.

But Jesus? He is all-powerful. He is all-knowing. He is love and truth. He tells us He loves us with perfect love and that He will never leave us or forsake us.  

So what’s the problem? Is it me? Is it you?

Doubts flood in when Jesus waits to come.

I’ve talked with quite a few people going through prolonged dark times who have begun to doubt the Lord because of the waiting. They attribute to Him the flawed characteristics of others who’ve hurt them or let them down, and they’ve lumped Him into that same pile of disappointment. 

Maybe He has poor time-management skills.

Maybe He is too busy.

Maybe He doesn’t love me as much as He does other people who “have their stuff more together” than me.

Maybe He isn’t all that good.

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Friend, your faith must be more than feeling. It must be grounded on the truth. Jesus IS the truth. Will you believe Him in the waiting?

Journeying with Christ means: 

  • Walking by faith – believing in the unseen, waiting for glory to be revealed.
  • Believing He is who He says He is. PERIOD. End of story. No matter what!
  • Believing that He is for you and intimately aware of every detail of your life AT. EVERY. MOMENT.
  • Believing that His every decision is an act of love on our behalf.

Let’s look again at the story when word was brought to Jesus about Lazarus.  

When Jesus heard it, he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

John 11: 4

Jesus waited because He knew, by raising Lazarus from the dead, He would bring glory to God and it would glorify Himself also. Proving He has authority even over death would increase the love and faith of Mary, Martha, Lazarus and show the glory of God to all who were present.

In times of confusion and waiting, let us remember:

Maybe He has poor time-management skills. Jesus was right on time.

Maybe He is too busy. Jesus’s waiting is evidence of His patient love, perfect plan, and willingness to give us His best.

Maybe He doesn’t love me as much as He loves other people. Even though Jesus knew what He would do in Bethany, He wept and was deeply troubled by the deep grief of Mary Martha and the others because of His love for them.  He cries with you too. He doesn’t miss one tear that falls from your eyes.

Maybe He isn’t all that good. Everything Jesus does is good and it’s meant to bring Glory to God and draw us to Himself.

Friend, be encouraged today. If you have surrendered your burden to Him, your waiting is a part of His greater work. He is working even now for God’s glory and for your good.  Do you believe it?  Maybe you need to take time to repent of wrong thinking and ask Him to renew in you a spirit of hope in the waiting. His glorious plan is on the way. You can count on it because you can count on Him.

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Right now I am reading through the books of the prophets in the Old Testament. I just finished reading the book of Jeremiah, and today I began chapter one of Ezekiel. 

God commissions both Jeremiah and Ezekiel and others to give His message to the people of Israel and Judah – God’s chosen people. The warning was continually “Repent! Turn back to Me, and I will show you abundant mercy.”  But can you guess how they respond?

Just this morning in The Bible Handbook I read the setting for Ezekiel’s ministry. It said,

At this point in Israel’s story, the people and their leaders were obstinate, hard-hearted, and disobedient. They continually broke the covenant that God had formed with them by worshiping false gods and ignoring the Law of Moses.

Because of this, God used the surrounding nations as tools for discipline, God gave His people chance after chance to repent, sending prophets to them with messages of warning and pouring mercy over them often. But they refused to return to the covenant their fathers had made with the Lord. God’s patience was exhausted, and He used the surrounding nations to execute justice on His people. They were taken from their land in a series of sieges and forced to dwell in Babylon.

The Bible Handbook, The Daily Grace Co.

In their arrogance and sinfulness, Israel’s response was to ignore the warnings God sent them. For this reason, God brought about a season of exile.  

Exile – the state of being barred from one’s native country.  

In other words, God removed them from their “familiar.” He made them uncomfortable and placed them under the harsh rule of Babylon. But THIS was an act of mercy for a people who otherwise would be without hope, deserving of judgment.  

In parenting terms, I guess I would call this a grand demonstration of “tough love.”

Jeremiah explained that when Babylon laid siege on Israel, God’s instruction was for Israel to willingly go into exile, and He would be with them. But Israel didn’t like the message or accept it.

Ironically in chapter forty-three of Jeremiah, the people who did not listen are desperate, so they ask Jeremiah to consult the Lord on what they should do. Their inquiry included a plan of their own. They had decided to attempt an escape to Egypt. Then they sought out Jeremiah and asked him to go to the Lord on their behalf.  

Here’s how it went down:

And (all the people who managed to avoid capture and remain in the land) said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Let our plea for mercy come before you, and pray to the Lord your God for us, for all this remnant— because we are left with but a few, as your eyes see us— that the Lord your God may show us the way we should go, and the thing that we should do.” Jeremiah, the prophet, said to them, “I have heard you. Behold, I will pray to the Lord your God according to your request, and whatever the Lord answers you I will tell you. I will keep nothing back from you.” Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the Lord be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to all the word with which the Lord your God sends you to us. Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to whom we are sending you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭42:2-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬ (emphasis mine)


Sounds like they are ready to hear from God and obey, right? The only problem is that they are consulting God on something for which He has already given clear instruction.  

Have you ever done that?

Jeremiah, comes back with God’s response, “If you don’t obey and go with your people into exile God’s protection will not be upon you in your endeavors. If you carry out your own plan, you will surely die.”

Now, this was not good news. But Israel could still obey God’s plan and enter exile as He commanded. What was their response?

When Jeremiah finished speaking to all the people all these words of the Lord their God, with which the Lord their God had sent him to them, Azariah the son of Hoshaiah and Johanan the son of Kareah and all the insolent men said to Jeremiah, “You are telling a lie. The Lord our God did not send you to say, ‘Do not go to Egypt to live there,”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭43:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬


In other words, “We don’t like your answer, so we reject it.”

It doesn’t seem to have dawned on them that the rebellion God is addressing by sending them into exile is still strong as ever in their hearts.  

And they came into the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the Lord. And they arrived at Tahpanhes.

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭43:7‬ ‭ESV‬


Surprisingly there are quite a few accounts of the people of God demanding their own way and then asking false prophets to speak to God on their behalf in hopes of affirming their rebellion. These “so-called prophets” were happy to tell Israel what they wanted to hear.  But believing their lies would cost Israel their lives.

Rebellion is a proud cancer that has plagued “God’s people” throughout history. Even in the New Testament and in the church today, we see people praying to God, all the while calling the shots on whether or not they will obey – consulting God but not bowing to Him.

The New Testament writers warn believers repeatedly to beware of false prophets, beware of idolatry, and beware of disobedience to God’s Word. Was this really necessary – to continually warn the people? Is it necessary today?  

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

2 Timothy 4:3-4 

Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?

Luke 6:46

The other day during my quiet time, I came across the verse Psalm 80:4

“O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭80:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬


I sat thinking about it for a bit. How long will You be angry with your people’s prayers?

I wrote in my journal. “What would cause God to be angry with my prayers? Isn’t prayer always a good thing? Prayer pleases God, right?” I mean, when I find myself in trouble, I call out to Him. Isn’t that what He wants?”

Then I remembered my Bible reading from the past few weeks regarding the rebellious hearts of God’s people and their arrogant prayers. God pointed out that not only is consistency in prayer important, but purity of heart is an essential aspect of God-glorifying prayer. 

Are your prayers pleasing to God?

Let’s look at what God says in His Word about our prayers. Here are a few examples of prayer that grieves God:

You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures

James 4:3

Because I [Wisdom] have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke…. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.

Proverbs 1:24-25, 28

One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

Proverbs 28:9

If you and I choose to ignore God’s instruction (found in the Bible) regarding prayer, righteousness, obedience, truth, we are in rebellion, and our prayers anger/grieve Him. God resists (opposes, as in battle) the proud but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6

It’s common to rush into prayer with a list of items forgetting that prayer is a conversation with God. Then, when God doesn’t give us what we desire, we can become angry at Him. All the while, we never reflect on our own hearts before Him or prepare our hearts to meet with Him. If we are out of fellowship with God and ignoring His Word, we are deceived in thinking our prayers are heard.  

17 I cried to him with my mouth,

and high praise was on my tongue.

18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,

the Lord would not have listened.

19 But truly God has listened;

he has attended to the voice of my prayer.

Psalm 66:17-19


Sunday was busy from sunup to sundown, and Mark and I were hurrying to the church for the 6:30 prayer gathering we always enjoy. But this Sunday, I hadn’t spent much time considering my thoughts and feelings. You know how sometimes you wake up in a funk and can’t seem to shake it as the day goes on? Not only could I not shake it, but it was also gaining momentum. I didn’t like how I felt, and, disappointed with myself, I wondered how God couldn’t also be disappointed in me. 

We arrived at the church early, and I sat down in a chair. I felt like I had a big tangled ball of feelings and attitudes that I needed to sort out. I recalled the verse about prayers that anger God. I thought to myself, “I am in no condition to be praying right now.” I had only a couple of minutes before we would begin to consider what I should do. Finally, in the few moments I still had, I decided to pour it all out before the Lord and confess my sin.

“God, I feel I am in no place to pray right now. I don’t want to offer prayers that anger or grieve You. I don’t want to put on a show for the others who will join us tonight. I know some of my attitudes today, and even my words did not please You. I don’t want to rush into Your presence, approaching an Eternal King in His throne room, with prayers that reflect an undisciplined, complaintive heart. I confess I need You. I repent. Please forgive and help me.”

Mark had already begun reading a passage of scripture, and I wondered if my prayer had enough time “to take.” I know that’s silly. But, wouldn’t you know, God in His mercy forgave me and stirred in me a heart to pour out intercessory prayer there along with my brothers and sisters. Thus, He showered me with immediate grace. 

How about you? Are you in rebellion to God and His Word? 

“Tammy, that’s a strong word.”

But if you are knowingly ignoring a command of God in your life or refusing to humble yourself before Him, no matter what you call it, your prayers are hindered.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

Proverbs 15:8

Let us examine our hearts and remove rebellion far from us. Then, as we approach God the next time we go to prayer, let us begin as the psalmist prayed:

23Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!

Psalm 139:23-24


And then let’s allow God to do what only He can do in us, making our hearts fertile soil for prayer and communion with Him.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 
6Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 
8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 
9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 
11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 

Psalm 51:1-12

Let us be people of prayer, and let us lift prayers to God in which He delights.

“This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite (remorseful, repentant) in spirit and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2

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This morning, as I headed down the steps for my first cup of coffee today, I thought to myself, “My kids are all here under the same roof. Every room is filled.” I love the thought of it and I realize these moments are rare. Hudson leaves tomorrow to work all summer as a counselor at a Christian sports camp. Abby is getting married in August! What? Sophie and Bianca are about to finish up their sophomore year in high school. I don’t even want to blink my eyes for fear that when I do, I will find all the rooms, that are now filled, empty. I know moments like this are numbered.

A while back I wrote a blog on a parenting tip that jumped out at me while studying a familiar passage of scripture. Today, more than ever before I want to reflect on what it means to be their mom and to parent them well. After all, my opportunity to do so is fleeting

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When I think for a moment of all the messages our world seeks to pump into my children, many outright dangerous, I know as a parent, I cannot just assume that they are clearly navigating through what is harmful and what is truth. I must teach them to seek the truth above all else. I must warn them of the dangers of turning from the truth even if it seems like the whole world is doing so. Where can I point them? To the Word of God.

(From 2019) I know that it is the Word of God that has the power to transform their lives more than any parenting effort on my part. I simply cannot “move their hearts toward God.” That’s His work. But I can give them opportunity to encounter Him. And I try to do that at every turn.

It reminds me of a passage I read on Sunday morning in my quiet time. I noticed something I had never considered before. It’s a simple but brilliant parenting move.

Here’s the passage:
13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16 NLT

I have read this passage many times over the years and what has always seemed to stick out to me most was the fact that Jesus rebuked His disciples for hindering the children from coming to Him and the fact that Jesus said in essence that people must come to Him with the faith of a child.

But, this time I was struck with something that hit me personally as a parent. Notice the first sentence.

“One day some parents brought their children to Jesus.”

Think about it. No one was sick or dying. We’ve seen accounts in scripture of parents bringing their sick and dead to Christ and He worked miracles. Here we simply see that one day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could “touch” and “bless” them.

Maybe they decided that morning when they woke up. Maybe over breakfast. Maybe they saw the crowds and thought it then. Maybe they were waiting for Jesus to come to their town. But what we know is that it was important to them to get their children before Jesus.

Brilliant parenting move.

Here are some reasons why their decision was brilliant:
There’s a time when getting your kids before Jesus is favorable.

When the disciples began to turn the parents and their children away, Jesus said in so many words, “Don’t send them away. These children are prime candidates for receiving the things of God. If someone wants to come to God, they must have faith like a child.” So, we see, we have a prime opportunity when our children are still under our roof to bring them to Jesus.

The second thing that gripped me is that Jesus Himself  “touched” and “blessed” the children.

Did you ever think about the power behind that touch? Behind that blessing?
If it’s coming from Jesus, it’s coming with power. No empty blessing here.
I know I fail in the parenting department often. But one thing I’ve learned can never be a bad idea is to bring my children to Jesus. A touch from Jesus supersedes any award certificate, trophy or accolade.

Oh, that my children would be touched and blessed by Jesus!

Obviously, Jesus is not walking the earth right now. So, how can we bring our children to Jesus today:

Pray them to Jesus:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Teach them the Word:
But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:14-17

So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 11:18-20

Make Jesus your priority:

As parents, we “bring” our children to a lot of things. In fact, we influence where they go early on by where we “bring” them. The priority we place on where we bring them as children influences where they will go when they are grown.

We bring them to sports.
We bring them to vacation spots.
We bring them to social events.
But let us ALWAYS “bring” them to Jesus first.

Bring them to church. Bring them to student ministry. Bring them wherever Jesus is being exalted.

Start today with a parenting tip you’ll never regret – Bring them to Jesus.

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