“Get up! Cry out at night, every hour on the hour. Pour your heart out like water in the presence of the LORD. Lift up your hand to Him (in prayer) for the life of your little children who faint from (spiritual) hunger at every street corner.” --Lamentations 2:19 – God’s Word Translation

The following story21 is about destiny.

John and Ann were expecting. When Ann was still pregnant, she told John she was a little nervous about the cold-blooded pets he kept, some in the house. He laughed and told her not to worry.

The baby came, bright, and beautiful, innocent and pure. After their daughter was born, Ann again expressed her concern over the snakes John kept as pets. John considered himself a loving parent, but he liked those snakes, and besides, the sales he made from them helped pay the bills. So again, he told her not to worry, and Ann complied.

Soon, the little one didn’t need to be nursed anymore and was sleeping soundly in her own room. John and Ann enjoyed more restful nights. Then one night, Ann awoke suddenly and, although she hadn’t heard her baby cry, she decided to check on her darling.

She moved close to the bed and peeped over, straining her eyes in the dim light to gaze at her beautiful little girl.

Nothing could describe her horror as she saw the boa constrictor, dark and huge, in the bed.

It had just finished eating her child.

DESTINY ON PURPOSE

You might wonder why I started this chapter about Destiny on such a morbid note. Here’s why: Unless you purposely point your child to Christ as soon as possible, and keep reinforcing Godly principles by living for the LORD—both by attending a church that preaches the full Word and by reading it daily; adore Christ and worship Him; not adoring the things of the world more than His presence; ask God what may be in your home, and what relationships may be in your live(s) that offend Him, then obey Him when He shows you what to sever and destroy; watch and pray for your children to shun evil, draw close to God and follow Him all their days; and continue to love and learn God’s Word and teach His instructions to your children, your kids could easily become prey to the enemy. Easily!

There are exceptions, but it’s almost guaranteed your children won’t follow God with all their hearts if you don’t, unless He in His mercy sends others across their paths to teach them His ways, and the Holy Spirit draws them to respond. But responsibility for spiritual training in battle starts at home, the fortress where the Captain of our Salvation has placed the young recruits called your kids.

We are in a battle, remember? However, this battle is one that, if we allow Christ to do these things through us, is already won!

One well-known author says, “One can never go wrong praying Scripture over one's child. It helps unlock their God-given destiny.”

Your children might have great success financially and socially, perhaps even stardom--but what about the future of their souls?

As Matthew 16:26 and 27 say, “What does it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man (King Jesus) shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.”

On the measuring tape of eternity, as one apostle says, our lives are less than a pinpoint (Psalm 90:5, 6 and James 4:14). There are no atheists nor agnostics standing at the edge of hell. They die and understand God is, and is The LORD!

GOOD DREAM vs. GOD DREAM

But it is not too late for your kids. Forget the “American Dream.” The life that you seek for your children is Zoe, the Greek word for “abundant life,” or “life as God has it.” Investing in the proper spiritual heritage of your children—true success--will bring rewards that far outlast those of worldly gain.

So which do you want for your precious little ones? Your answer will have a major influence on their destiny. Your goals determine your motives, which can be surprisingly skewed and cloaked as “the best for the children,” when they are not.

As we strive to live to the glory of God we must ask ourselves these questions, and often. Even as I write, the Holy Spirit is showing me that there is more that I can do to help bring my daughter closer to Him. And, He is also showing me, in His magnificent way, that I can’t do this alone. Nor do I have to. None of us do; we depend on God to help us and He does. Hallelujah.

Having been a believing single mother for almost seven years; having overcome divorce and many other setbacks; finally triumphing in understanding (much thanks to Pastors Tracy and Lori) that I am righteous by the blood of Jesus that covers me (II Cor. 5:21); and also--miracle of miracles--thankfully receiving and marrying Clayton, the man that God meant to help complete my destiny, I have proven God’s Word. It works!

HEAVENLY HELP

God is alive; He is everywhere and will never leave those who have received Him and continue to follow Him. God is faithful; how many times have you had just what you needed when you needed it, and often in the most delightful, surprising way? God is good. God The King, our loving Abba Father Who created and sustains heaven and earth and all that lives, cares about every detail of our lives, and wants to be involved. So invite Him in. You’ll never regret it!

He wants to help us train and love and bless the child(ren) He has so graciously given us for a season--to know Him, to love Him, to comprehend their glorious identity in Christ, and to serve in His holy presence. Rejoice, be glad! As Jesus said on the cross, It is finished! (John 19:30) The war is already won, and if you are born again in Jesus, you are on the winning team! (Rom. 8:37)

By doing what Jesus would do (in fact, what He desires to do through you!), you’re already taking steps to empower your children them to live deeper, stronger, fuller and freer in the LORD.

Know this: As I Corinthians 15:58 says, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, for you know that your labor in the LORD is not in vain! HALLELUJAH!

Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.