My daughter starts high school in one week. Her new backpack will be laden down with homework, papers to bring home, and about 20 pounds of text books all year long. Unlike her mother, my daughter is a great student and takes academics pretty seriously and is involved with sports. She’s going to be a busy gal this year. Soccer practice 5 or 6 days a week, games, homework, Whatever Girls meetings, worship practice, chores, time with friends, time with family, church, and the list goes on.
Our kids, yours and mine, are busier than ever these days. My husband and I committed long ago to a one activity at a time policy. Our family does not function well when we’re out each night doing multiple activities. We suffer from burn out, our kids don’t get to be kids nearly as long as they need to, and we miss out on much needed together time.
Even with limiting activities, my girl is going to be crazy busy the next four years and I know some things are going to fall through the cracks. If I have to empty the dishwasher for her now and then, it’s no big deal. But there is one thing I don’t want falling through the cracks: her relationship with Jesus. Fortunately, she’s really on fire for God right now, but I want to encourage her to keep that fire going. Andrew Carnegie said: “As I grow older, I pay less attention to what people say. I just watch what they do.” These words have been weighing heavy on my heart for weeks. And so have these words, this concept: “Intention without Hesitation”.
Since January 1 of this year, my best friend and I have been keeping each other accountable spiritually. We read our devotion for the day, pray and then text the other saying “ I read and prayed”. Over the months we’ve missed a few days here and there, and there are days when I should have spent more time in God’s Word. Like last week, for example. Grace said “Mommy, are there any chores I can do so you can read your Bible?” Yes.She.Did. I smiled and thanked her. Even at 14, she knows if my cup is running on empty and can see how the rest of the family is affected.
Our intention without hesitation mornings with God start on the first day of school and will be as high a priority as eating breakfast and getting dressed for school. I wouldn’t dream of sending my kids to school hungry or improperly dressed. But, I’m sad to say I’ve let their spirits go to school cold and with hunger pangs- spiritually malnourished.
New starts are exciting, aren’t they? I’m especially excited about intention without hesitation mornings because of the tool we’re going to be using. My good friend Lynn Cowell (Proverbs 31 Author and Speaker) is coming out with her second book, “Devotions for a Revolutionary Year” on September 4. Lynn sent me an advance copy and asked if I’d endorse it. I didn’t hesitate. I’ve read Lynn’s first book “His Revolutionary Love” and the Whatever Girls brought Lynn to speak in our community last spring. We love Lynn. She has become one of my favorite people on the planet. She is so in tune with Jesus, so believe me when I say her books are amazing, relevant, full of God’s Word, wisdom, and will be instrumental in guiding your daughter to a deeper relationship with Jesus.
I believe a girl needs these two things in her life:
1. To (really) know Jesus loves her and to love Him back.
2. She needs to spend time with Him each and every day.
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