Hebrews 6:19--"which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast..."
I have needed an anchor all my life. That has been the benefit of having trials in my youngest years. Now I can look back with gratitude at what the LORD was doing in the midst of what seemed to be craziness because my desperate need for something sure and true led me to seek Him diligently.
I no longer cry or bemoan the past, but surprisingly, I can look at it and see Him working even as the enemy attempted to use the sins of others to destroy. Destruction that the enemy always hopes for did not come, though despair made an appearance occasionally. But there was always an alternative to despair--hope.
Now Husband and I attempt to aim and shoot our five little arrows at what is sure and true. One day they will be the grown ups that we are now. I refuse to join in any chorus of voices weeping for their futures because one day I expect them to take the reins as mature individuals and stand for Him. I do not want comfort to be their companion, for comfort can breed idleness. I want them to always be alert. I do not hope for difficulties for them, but I happen to know that they will get them so I want to prepare them for that. They will have battles. They will face disappointments. They will go through trials. No matter what I may try to do to keep them safe, all of those things will come. So I want to leave with them that which will hold them steadfast. There is little that can offer that, but hope in Him certainly does.
Hope in Him allows one to hold on a little while longer. It keeps one from walking toward the deceptive claws of the enemy. It helps one open the eyelids to see a new day after a night full of tears. Hope does not disappoint. Hope bears good fruit because the one who hopes walks in the confidence of a promise from One who does not fail to deliver.
We have all of our little gifts still living under roof and my goal is to keep them as long as possible so I can pour into them words from Him. But years rush and time is not in my control so I pour on hope...His hope. It is one thing I can offer that has never let me down.
Romans 8:24,25--"For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."
The "holding on & letting go" of those precious gifts is something that I've struggled with in the past. Thinking that I was in control (haha) used to give me a false comfort. Thankfully, the scales have fallen away and I can see clearly that He loves my children more than I or anyone on earth does, with a love that is indescribable. There are going to be strifes and struggles in their lives, just like there has been in our lives, but the hope we have is the that firm foundation into which we as parents have poured into them. That firm foundation of Christ Himself. A firm foundation that is so evident in your kids! Love you Angel--thanks for the wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteYou have such a delightful blog! I'm enjoying it immensely! Thank you for your time, Angel.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have a "do over" in raising my children. When my sons were little, in their formative years, I did not know Christ, nor did I serve Him. THIS one truth that I have had to live with, echoes in my mind often. Once I met Christ, we did our best, but we fell so short. How I wished we would have known Him in those early years. Only Summer was born into a family who already knew Him. It often hurts so deeply. I commend you and the many other mommas who are raising their "little arrows" straight and heading them to the Cross of Christ. Although He can most certainly be found, regardless of our upbringing (I found Him, so I'm a testimony!!), that early foundation is such a key. Your children are a walking testament to a job well done by you and Preach. Yes, trials will come, disappointments will knock at their door, but they will go back to that firm foundation that was poured in their early years and they will cling to it. I love you Angel and I dearly love your godly children. They are a joy and a blessing to ALL of our lives at RRC and beyond.
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ReplyDeleteThank you Angel. He will never let us down. This was such a delight to read.
ReplyDeleteI love having all my arrows under my roof still. I too know that one day they will leave, but for now, I am VERY thankful that they are still here. The most important thing we can instill in them is the love of Christ.
ReplyDeleteyou're doing a great job with those arrows. :)
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