Yesterday I met a guy that I had not seen for seven years. As we chatted and caught up on what was happening in our lives, he shared with me how he could no longer work because of health issues and was on the disability pension. My first thought was, “You poor thing. That would be hard. I would love to pray for you and see God heal you.” The next thought was, “I have just had this conversation with another person I hadn’t seen for a similar period of time and she had said how the current church that she, and all these folk were in, weren’t on the same page in relation to God actually physically healing people today.” I then began this tug –of-war inside of me. Should I offer to pray for this person, whom I really didn’t know that well, or do I wait and see if he asks me if I would pray for him? I had shared with him how we were on the Healing Room’s team. Nothing further was said about his health issues and I didn’t end up praying for him. I went away feeling sorry that I hadn’t initiated it and that he didn’t really believe that God could heal his back.
There are times when I get frustrated with my children’s lack of assertiveness in relation to praying for other people, especially those who are sick etc. My children don’t seem enthusiastic, even though they have experienced incredible physical healing in their lives and know that it makes a huge difference.
It suddenly struck me – no wonder my kids are like they are. Look at myself and my husband. They are modelling our behaviour. Children are amazing disciples of our behaviour, whether or not that is the thing we want them to learn.
I have always been amazed at how babies and toddlers imitate their parent’s countenance. This was particularly evident in our neighbour’s children, but also in every toddler I have met. The neighbour’s children never seemed to smile, no matter what happened, they always had a glum look on their face. When you look at their mum – she doesn’t seem to experience joy in her life and you never see a smile on her face. Is it any wonder that the children always have a glum look on their face?
This has all been spinning around in my head this week as I am trying to review different character qualities in my children and how to help them in certain areas. Perhaps I need to focus more on myself first!!
Well I think you’re a wonderful role model …although I do know what you are talking about, and have changed my behaviour over the years (both good and bad) to set a standard for them to live through and beyond!
Not easy but worth it 🙂
Blessings,
God is Good!
PS: love the photo 🙂
Thank you.
I must admit – that photo was a favourite of mine when Matey was 2 1/2 years old. We were on holiday and Hubby was meant to be reading him a bedtime story and I came out of the bathroom after getting the kids through the bath and found them like that!!