Devotional for Jen's Baby Shower

November 8, 2009
When I was asked to bring a devotional, I thought surely there must be someone more qualified, someone who has done things better than me, a woman whose kids have done everything right and who stand and call her blessed. And yet while I tried to ignore the request, God kept prodding me. One word kept coming to mind – and that word was PRAYER.

Motherhood will be the most rewarding, fulfilling and demanding role you will ever know. You will be taken to the heights and to the depths... you will be taxed and stretched beyond what you can imagine, but there is also no description for the joy you will know as a mother. You will know love that you have never known and experience emotions that you have only heard about.
I think every mother has their moments – we tend to look back occasionally and think about things we could have done differently; we think about the what-ifs. For me, it comes down to one thing… PRAYER.
If I could have a do-over, I would spend more time in PRAYER – and my prayer would be more proactive instead of being mostly reactive.
Like most moms, I have learned a great deal along the way. I have had more joyful moments than many experience in a lifetime; however, I have also failed many times, and have had many disappointments and can tell you hundreds of ways things don’t work. But what I am sure of never changes--- trusting in the LORD and walking in His ways.
He promises to never leave us nor forsake us; all His ways are good and all His paths are peace. In following Him, we cannot fail. He will strengthen you to do whatever you must do.
Last year I spent some time meditating on God’s message in the book of Job.
Every year when Job’s sons had birthdays, they invited their brothers and sisters to join them for a celebration. On these occasions they would get together to eat and drink. When these celebrations ended – and sometimes they lasted several days – Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. Job did this because he thought perhaps his children had sinned and had cursed God in their hearts. Job did this regularly.
Job had deep concern for the spiritual welfare of his children. Fearful that they might have sinned unknowingly, he offered sacrifices for them. As moms today, we can show the same concern by praying for our children. This means “sacrificing” some time each day to ask God to forgive them, to help them grow, to protect them, and to help them please him.
Motherhood can sometimes be overwhelming, but the LORD will lead you if you will follow Him. Isaiah 41.10 says, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Lamentations 2:19 says, “Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children.”
My challenge and encouragement for you today is to PRAY…
When you are worried…pray
When you are overwhelmed…pray
When you are in need…pray
When you must make a decision…pray for faith, pray for wisdom, pray for order, pray for understanding
Pray for your children…
• That they feel loved and accepted
• That they resist rebellion
• Pray for good family relationships
• For Godly friends and role models
• That they would avoid alcohol, drugs or other addictions
• That they would avoid sexual immorality
• Pray that they develop a hunger for things of God
• That they would be the person God created them to be
• That they would follow truth and reject lies
• That their God-given gifts and talents would be easily identified
• Pray that they would stay attracted to Holiness and purity
• That they would enjoy freedom from fear
• That they would know the joy of the Lord
Now for you ladies whose kids are grown and you’ve given some thought to what you would do with a do-over, let’s not focus on what-ifs, let’s choose always to trust, knowing that God works all things together for good. And if you are a Grandma, consider it God’s gift of a do-over – and choose to PRAY!
Lord, thank you for this new mom and thank you for the precious little life that you have created within her. I pray that she will live out motherhood with a growing dependence on YOU, with faith, with passion, with tenacity and with strength. I pray that it will be said of her that “Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her; that there are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but she surpasses them all!” Amen