With You

Recently, I read this verse and it captured my attention.

"Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these WITH YOU?” he asked. Jacob answered, “They are the CHILDREN God has graciously given your servant.” Genesis 33:5

This verse is a reminder that children are a gift from God. They are people that God has placed "with you."

Psalm 127:3 reminds us of this as well.

"Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from Him."

We have a responsibility to invest in and disciple the children God has placed with us.

The amount of time you have children with you is brief. The days definitely feel long at times. But the years are so short. They fly by so quickly. Ask anyone who has raised kids and they will confirm this.

This should cause us to look down the road of life and develop a clear pathway that we want to walk with our children. Here are some questions you can use to develop a pathway for the children who are with you.

Here's an example:

1. What do you want the children who are with you to believe about God?

2. What kind of character do you want to be instilled in the children who are with you?

3. What do you want the children who are with you to know about the Bible?

4. What kind of person do you want the child who is with you to marry one day?

5. What kind of relationship do you want the child who is with you to have with Jesus?

Go through these 5 questions and write down your thoughts. Then transfer them into how you teach, train and invest in the child who is with you.

Our goal should be to leave a legacy with the children who are with us. This is different than leaving an inheritance.

"An inheritance is what you leave for children.

A legacy is what you leave in children."

The child who is with you is looking for unconditional love.

The child who is with you is looking for someone who really cares for them.

The child who is with you is looking for acceptance.

The child who is with you is looking for guidance and direction.

The child who is with you is looking for wisdom to make the right decisions.

The child who is with you is looking for a role model who practices what they preach.

The child who is with you is looking for security.

I pray that today you would pause and spend a few extra minutes of time with the child who is with you.

I pray that you would whisper a prayer for the children who are with you in a small group at church.

I pray that God would give you the wisdom and understanding to raise the child who is with you.

I pray that God will give you a vision for the child who is with you.

I pray that God will anoint you as you teach and serve the children who are with you at church.

We must reach and disciple the children who are with us.

God has placed that child in your path so you can influence them and help disciple them. It's not random luck that they are with you and not someone else. You have been given the responsibility to lead them. They are with you...for a reason.

Turn around and take a look - who is with you?

You are looking at your mission field.