Parenting Advice

I have a dear friend and Bible teacher who is always faithful to give good parenting advice. Recently, after a frightening health scare with her granddaughter, she reminded me that she never prays that the Lord take a trial away from her children but that He gives them what they need in the midst of the trial. It is a hard thing to do because as a parent your first inclination is always to want to remove anything from your child that hurts them but if you have developed a close walk with the Lord you realize that His love and provision throughout that trial will grow them in a way that has eternal rewards! From the book, Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Charles Cowan, you will see below that this is illustrated beautifully.

Many years ago there was a monk who needed olive oil, so he planted an olive tree sapling. After he finished planting it, he prayed, "Lord, my tree needs rain so its tender roots may drink and grow. Send gentle showers." And the Lord sent gentle showers. The monk prayed, "Lord, my tree needs sun. Please send it sun." And the sun shone, gilding the once dripping clouds. "Now send frost, dear Lord, to strengthen its branches," cried the monk. And soon the little tree was covered in sparkling frost, but by evening it had died.

Then the monk sought out a brother monk in his cell and told him of his strange experience. After hearing the story, the other monk said, "I also have planted a little tree. See how it is thriving! But I entrust my tree to its God. He who made it knows better that a man like me what it needs. I gave God no constraints or conditions, except to pray, 'Lord, send what it needs--whether that be a storm or sunshine, wind, rain, or frost. You made it, and you know best what it needs.'"

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" Ephesians 1:3