I am thankful for my family. Families are precious to the Lord as well since He created the first family – Adam and Eve. As I read in my devotions, “Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it …” (Psalm 127:1). The Lord brought Jim and me together over forty years ago. It is God who is building our lives and families, and He will do it the best way. It is He who gave us our four children and found the perfect mates for them. It is He who has blessed them and given us ten grandchildren. It is also God’s plan for them to leave home and cleave (stick together like glue) to each other.
They will need to learn to depend upon God to build their families, just like we are learning. I am learning during this time about the importance of prayer. That is the best thing I can do for our children and grandchildren. Daily I seek the Lord and ask Him to set a wall of protection around them, for God to guide them, to provide for their needs, and to use them to be a shining light for Him. I pray they would want to know the Lord better.
Prayer is so very important. It touched my heart recently when I saw five of our grandchildren sitting in a circle praying for their Poppy (Jim). I heard one of the youngest ones praying for their family members. Obviously, these little ones have seen it and are being taught the importance of prayer. Oh, I do pray that we will never forget the importance of prayer and how we can go boldly before the throne of grace for each other! At Thanksgiving and Christmas time, strive to give the gift of example. Show your children and grandchildren the importance of prayer. Share with them how God has answered your prayers. As a mom/grandmom, I am seeing the importance of my prayer life and the effect it will have on others. An older man shared this thought with me, “Big prayer power – Big power in prayer.” Do it today, and watch God’s power on display in the lives of your children. It is the best thing you could ever do for your family! Happy Thanksgiving from our home to your home!