How long will you slumber, O sluggard?… A little sleep, a little slumber … So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man. – Proverbs 6:9-11 NKJV
Catching a train
If you’ve ever tried to help someone catch an early train, the early start may have been challenging, particularly for non-early risers. Nevertheless, at their ETA (estimated time of arrival) we find ourselves feeling fulfilled and thankful, that we played our part in helping them fulfil their journey – despite the early start. However, with missed trains come missed opportunities. This could bring about disappointment and sadness, especially later on in the day – at the proposed ETA .
Missed opportunities
Children need help with the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of their life. Getting the appropriate help from a young age sets them up for a bright future.
However, we parents sometimes miss the opportunity to wake up our children or drive them in the right direction. This could be due to our other commitments or deficiencies in our own backgrounds.
Today’s scripture says ‘a little sleep, a little slumber…’ In my opinion, there is no such thing as taking a break from parenting; it is a lifetime calling. As parents, we must be alert and intentional in ensuring that our children catch the right train at each phase of their life. This can be achieved in different ways including advising or praying for them, and giving the right training from an early age (Proverbs 22:6).
What next?
Parenting can be a tough, with different challenges at the different developmental stages of our children. Nevertheless, we must choose not to sleep or slumber over the destinies of our children. We must hold fast to God and He will surely help us (Isaiah 41:10).
Prayer Points
1. Holy Spirit, help me to stay alert and prayerful in the course of my parenting journey
2. Lord Jesus, have mercy on me for any missed opportunities in my children’s lives due to my slumbering. Help us to regain the lost time.
3. Lord Jesus, I commit my children’s lives into your hands. Help them to make the right decisions including choosing to surrender their lives to you