True North: Because He Loves You Намуна
Day 5: Preparation
What do I desire for Sawyer?
I want her to be a godly woman who pursues Jesus, not earthly pursuits. I want her to know how to mentor other women and how to follow godly counsel herself. I want her to know how to love her husband and set the emotional thermostat for her family. I want her to be successful at being a girl, a woman, a mother, a wife, and most importantly, a follower of Christ. I know that God has BIG plans for her, and it is my job to help her get prepared for those big plans.
For example, I want Sawyer to be wise, so I must find her wise people to walk with, for Proverbs 13:20 says, "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." Luckily, one of those wise people is her mother. I cherish and adore my wife. I believe in her and think her wisdom and discernment are gifts from God. I believe she can prepare Sawyer to grow in the ways we desire. If Sawyer watches her mom, she'll have a great example.
It is by seeing, doing, and understanding that Sawyer will develop the characteristics that God commands her to have. Contrastingly, as her protector and provider, if I see Sawyer walking with the wrong crowd, it is my responsibility to create separation from the fools as a way to protect her. I will do my best to guide her and prepare her. Because I love her.
What are you being prepared for? Do you feel like God has BIG plans for you?
Are the people you are walking with preparing you for those big plans or preparing you for harm? Are you walking with the wise and growing wiser, or are you walking with fools?
The Lord prepares us and guides us in many ways, through teaching, through experiences, through relationships, and through His word. Don't overlook what you're learning, what you're doing, and what you're reading as preparation for who you are becoming. Seek the Lord's guidance and counsel. He wants you to be wise. He wants this—because He loves you.
About this Plan
God is so absolutely crazy about His children and wants to show His love in so many ways. It wasn't until I was a father that I understood that crazy parental kind of love, and it gave me a perspective of how He feels for us. My perspective changed further when I began to raise a little girl, and the tenderness of my heart helped me to understand the tender side of God—a side that would do anything for us because He loves us.
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