The genuine heart of God

For some people, they struggle to see God as a loving God. They have either had very bad experiences with parents or perhaps even with some churches, and so their picture of God is very harsh. When we look through the Bible, we can understand how we could see God in this way, but there are equally many scriptures that reveal the true heart of the Father.

Take for example, a few of the following verses. They speak to me of a God who cares, and who has a genuine heart of compassion for his people. 

Luke 13:34 - “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 

Luke 15:1-3 - Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Isaiah 40:11- He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

Thought: Does this help you see God in a different way? 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Waking up the King

"The only person who dares wake up a king at 3:00 AM for a glass of water is a child. We have that kind of access (to our King)." - Tim Keller

I think these words are so beautiful and help me to remember that we can pray at any hour of the day. As a parent, I remember being woken up in the early hours of the morning by a sick child, or a child who had a nightmare or who was thirsty. Their requests didn't make me angry (although they did make me tired and sleepy), but they reveal the depth of trust that the kids had in us. 

Hold onto this image as you go about your day. Remember that we have the privilege of being able to wake up the King - any time of the day.  

1 John 5:15 - And if we really know he is listening when we talk to him and make our requests, then we can be sure that he will answer us.

Living in grace

D3LM3

A Prayer for Matric Students

It is one thing to share a prayer for students writing exams, in a general sense, but it is another thing entirely when one of your own kids stands at the starting line of their Final Exams. This is a prayer I wrote for all Matrics, but it is unashamedly personal in nature. You are welcome to share this with others who may need some encouragement. I have never had a student say 'No' to a prayer before any exam :)

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Dear Lord

As our Matric students begin their Final Exams we ask that you would comfort them and grant them your peace as they finish off their last preparations. The time has come for us to let go of the ‘trial runs’ and ‘practise sessions’ and to trust that the moment of truth will only be a small step for them in the end.

May the challenges before them not seem insurmountable and please help our kids to rely on the collective learning they have received over the last 18 years. Remind them that although these next 6 weeks are vital in their preparations for the future, they are not the only thing that will define them. Our Matric results are an opportunity to start our adult lives on a certain path, but each student is worth so much more than 7 symbols on a school certificate.

We also ask that you would give each parent and guardian enough patience and love in order to support our children through this next important milestone in their lives. We ask you to put our hearts at ease and although we may try to steer our kids on a particular course, allow them to discover their true purpose in you.

Thank you for all the teachers, staff and community members who have given of themselves during this tough year. May they also feel rewarded for the progress they have nurtured in each child’s life. Help and enable us to celebrate the student who scraps a D symbol with hours and hours of extra work, as much as the student who achieves another A with seeming ease. Each child is to be celebrated and we thank you that you love each one of them.

Lastly, we thank you Lord for your promise of hope and guidance for all who turn to you.

In Jesus name we ask these things.  Amen.