1 Thessalonians 3 NIV
We pray for good things for our children and for all whom we love. But, more than that we pray that they will know the joy that comes in following Jesus. We pray that they might know and share God's love. We pray that their faith may increase.
When Paul could not be with the people of Thessalonica, he was just a little worried that they might be backsliding without him there to encourage and teach them so he sent Timothy to check it out. The people were fine. They continued in faith to love the Lord and one another. They continued in His way. The Spirit of Christ continued to work in and through them.
I have found that, sometimes, distance from people we care about might be a good thing. Sometimes, once we have taught someone (especially our own children) all that they can learn from us, that it might be best to put a little distance between us so that we are not meddling in or trying to micro-manage their lives. Sometimes, the best think we can do is step back and pray for them, giving thanks to God for His work in and through them. Stepping back and trusting the Spirit of Christ to continue working in our loved ones is not always the easiest thing to do. But, sometimes it is the best thing. It is always a good thing to entrust their lives to God. He does a much better job at guiding them than we can.
God's Peace - Pr. J
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| Faithful teacher receiving Communion with his students. He no longer teaches; but, continues to pray that they will remember what he has taught them and continue in faith even in his absence. |
When Paul could not be with the people of Thessalonica, he was just a little worried that they might be backsliding without him there to encourage and teach them so he sent Timothy to check it out. The people were fine. They continued in faith to love the Lord and one another. They continued in His way. The Spirit of Christ continued to work in and through them.
I have found that, sometimes, distance from people we care about might be a good thing. Sometimes, once we have taught someone (especially our own children) all that they can learn from us, that it might be best to put a little distance between us so that we are not meddling in or trying to micro-manage their lives. Sometimes, the best think we can do is step back and pray for them, giving thanks to God for His work in and through them. Stepping back and trusting the Spirit of Christ to continue working in our loved ones is not always the easiest thing to do. But, sometimes it is the best thing. It is always a good thing to entrust their lives to God. He does a much better job at guiding them than we can.
God's Peace - Pr. J
