My husband and I were at a crossroads. There were several very serious questions challenging us as parents. During our first three years of independent ministry, we were supported financially by love gifts from friends and family. Those finances paid for all ministry trips and travel, but we depleted our personal savings expenses for rent, food and personal necessities.
I stayed at home with my daughter for her first three years but now, our resources were gone.
Our struggles revolved around our very serious commitment to raise our adopted daughter God’s way.
Since my husband’s evangelism ministry changed week by week, we realized that no one would hire him even part time with this very sporadic and unpredictable schedule.
I questioned God, “Am I to stay home with my daughter and wait for the bread truck to break down?” (The bread truck symbolized God’s supernatural supply of our material needs.) “Or, am I to go back to work and be the supply of our financial needs?”
God whispered to my soul, directions for my future. “Make a covenant commitment to your daughter.” I heard Him say, “Go back to your job and give your daughter 100%.” Everyday at the close of school, I was to spend all of my time training, nurturing and caring for her every need.
There was no struggle, just a strong desire to fully “train up my child (and my other children) in the way that they should go.” (Proverbs 22:6)
A covenant is a promise, a solid agreement or a lifetime commitment like a vow that is binding and never broken.
I took my promise to God seriously. That covenant remained firm for all of our foster and adopted children for over twenty-five years.
I had no idea what was in store for me when I signed on the spiritual dotted line. However, over the next years, I came home daily to give my all to my family’s physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual and academic growth. Every child in my household was fully included in God’s plan for nurture, growth and discipline. I never knew beforehand how great the problems, needs or challenges would be, but whenever a new child or children moved into our home, my covenant commitment was steadfast.
The children that God put in my home had insurmountable needs. Many of their parents were on drugs or had alcohol addiction. Most of the children struggled with emotional, mental, social, and academic difficulties. Our home became workshop for God to work.
The covenant commitment I made was to pray, seek the Lord for His answers and provide a Godly environment for each child to change. This challenge consumed every bit of my time and energy. I trusted God. He brought amazing results.
Is the Lord directing you to make a covenant commitment to your child? Don’t be afraid. Make that promise to God. He will help you keep it.
Promise: For I will look on you favorably and make you fruitful, multiply you and confirm My covenant with you. Leviticus 26:9
Partnering with God: Lord, please show me where I need to make a covenant commitment to you in raising my child. Help me to hear Your voice and follow Your leading. Take my concerns and struggles and show me the parenting path that you want me to take. Help me to look to You for daily strength, wisdom and direction. Thank You Lord.
Let me know your thoughts!
Partnering with God,
Elaine
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