Nov
23
2015
Provision and Timing
Posted in Family Life 4 Comments
If we look, really look, we see evidence of God’s blessings all around us.
Sometimes those blessings are more obvious than others.
Sometimes those blessings are a bit quieter.
Whether obvious or quiet, the blessings are a gift from God’s hands.
I witnessed a dedication service of two children as I sat in church.
One was a baby girl.
The other was a young boy.
Different ages, different stages yet the desire of their parents was the same.
The parents stood before the congregation and made promises.
Promises to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Promises to train their children in the way that they should go.
Promises to bring and not just send their children to church.
The young fathers were reminded of their God-given role as spiritual leader of their family.
The congregation was asked to take seriously their role in the raising of these children.
I have seen dedications before but this one was different.
This one exemplified the abundant blessings of God so unique to each of His children.
One of the pastors spoke about the precious little girl in her mother’s arms.
He explained how her parents had been praying for a child for many years.
This sweet little girl, born less than a year ago, was adopted by this young couple.
Another mother bravely gave up her sweet little girl in order for her to have a better life.
I could see the love in the young father’s eyes as he looked at his wife and daughter.
I watched him as his hand gently touched his daughter’s little arm.
I watched the young mother give small kisses to the top of her daughter’s head.
Their daughter was carried in their hearts long before she was carried in their arms.
She was their daughter.
She was a direct answer to prayer.
She was perfectly placed in this family.
God, in His Sovereignty, chose this young couple to be her mother and father.
My heart soared.
Their love was palpable.
Their waiting was over.
They were now a family of three.
God’s perfect provision.
The next set of parents came forward to dedicate their son.
This young boy has an older sister and brother.
This young boy was born on the same day his grandfather died.
His grandfather had died exactly one year before the birth of his grandson.
The pastor reminded the congregation how very much this young boy is like his grandfather.
I could see his grandmother from where I was sitting smiling in agreement.
On the anniversary of the day that God called one man home, another was born.
A legacy of faith continued.
The parents were asked to promise that they would bring, not send, their son to church.
They promised that they would raise him to know the Word of God.
The promised that they would train him in the way that he should go.
The congregation was asked to promise to be a part of this boy’s spiritual training.
God’s perfect timing.
A dedication is a joyous event.
A dedication is also a solemn event.
Promises are made that are not to be taken lightly.
Before God, we each have a job to do.
What I witnessed showed me the extent of God’s love for us.
When the time came to completion, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. (Galatians 4:4-7)
That precious little girl is now an heir.
She has all the rights and privileges that her parents can bestow on her.
She is their daughter through and through.
She was adopted into their family and is fully their child.
That is what God has done for us when we come to His Son, Jesus, in faith.
Believing in Jesus and trusting in Him alone and nothing else, we become children of God.
Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of a natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1: 12,13)
At the moment of belief, we are adopted into the family of God.
At that moment we receive all the rights and privileges as His son or daughter.
We can cry out Abba, Father, Daddy and mean it.
We are fully His, at just the right time.
We are like the little boy who was born on the same day that His grandfather went Home.
That same Home his grandfather went to is the same Home this little boy inherits.
This little boy will be trained to know Jesus and all that He did for him on the cross.
God’s timing is no accident; God is never late; God’s timing is perfect.
God’s perfect provision.
God’s perfect timing.
I saw evidence of that in the lives of two children from two different families.
I see evidence of that in my own life from day to day.
Adopted children of God.
Perfectly timed children of God.
God knows what He is doing.
It is up to us to testify about God’s blessings so that others know Him as well.
Parents, bring not send your child to church each Sunday.
Train them up to know and love the Lord.
Immerse them in His Word.
Pray for and with and over your children each day.
Parenting cannot be done alone.
Parents need the Lord to guide and direct them as they raise their children.
Children who are perfectly placed and perfectly timed.
The blessings of the Lord, whether obvious or quiet, are gifts from His hand.
To Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever more. Amen. (Jude 24,25)
Thanks for sharing. You write beautifully
Thank you, Brenda.
It was so lovely to get to know you in class each week.
Gina
Beautiful written, thank you!
You are welcome, Ruth!
I am delighted that you were blessed.
God is good!
Gina