Proverb For Life - Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (ESV)
Every Monday you’ll find a new verse of the week on the right sidebar. Since Proverbs For Life was not quite ready to roll out on Monday, I am doing it today instead.
This verse is the one I am teaching my children this week. Precious A and Princess L are a bit older so they will memorize both verses, but the little men are going to work on the first part…trust the Lord with all your heart.
I chose this verse for a couple of reasons. The first is because of where I am at this point of my life. There are so many days I feel inadequate to do what God has called me to do and be in all the different areas of responsibility I have. If I struggle with knowing the right things to do with my kids how can I encourage others? I not by nature a structured person; how can I stick to a home-schooling schedule? I am really busy keeping up with 4 kiddos: how can I fit it all in?
It is a sacrifice to home school. There are times I would much rather be doing something else during the boys' naps, but it is worth the sacrifice.
In all of those excuses it is all about me. My reasons for NOT doing things usually has more to do with ME and my feelings than with what God would have me do. Even in my saying YES to things I often find I say yes because it is something I like to do, or because it is too hard to say no (I fight being a people-pleaser at times, okay a lot!).
So for me this verse is important because I have to focus not on my own understanding, but rather on God’s plan and purpose for my life and allow him to direct me as I go about my day in the little things as well as the big ones.
The other reason for picking this verse is because of where my kiddos are in life, particularly Precious A.
She is entering her teen years. She is struggling to fit in, yet stand out. She is wondering why God made her the way he did. I want to impress on her and the small fries the importance of trusting God and knowing exactly who he is so they will trust him. God is sovereign and in control. God is good. God is holy. God is just. God is faithful. God does not change. God is merciful. God is all-powerful. God is all-knowing.
If they see God’s character and how he is at work in their lives now, they will be able to trust him and not just rely on their own perspective on life.
It will take more than a week for them to fully understand. I am learning more about God’s character and trusting him every day. I think it will take an eternity to learn! But we have to start somewhere. Join me?