As Dear Children...

"Be ye therefore followers of God,
as dear children."
~ Ephesians 5:1

As a mother, the Lord is faithful
in teaching me much through my children.
During my quiet time with Him one day,
I read this verse:
"Be ye therefore followers of God,
as dear children."
~ Ephesians 5:1

Those words stood out to me so much.
As I sat and meditated on this Scripture,
the Lord opened my eyes...
and He used my children to teach me.

He didn't want me to just read that verse
and then move on to the next, unaffected.
He had something to show me.

He led me to observe my children...
Oh, how they love their daddy!
He showed me more, as He guided me to recall
instances of their childhood, past and present.

They truly did/do love their daddy.
"Mommy, where is Daddy?
When will he be home?"
"I miss Daddy."
"I want Daddy."

Throughout the day,
whether Daddy was at work, outside,
running an errand, deployed overseas...
wherever he was/is, these questions are present.

The Lord helped me to look deeper
into these statements,
to see a glimpse of their hearts...
... they love their daddy, are seeking him,
expecting him, trusting him to return,
desiring him, incomplete without him,
are comforted by him,
they anticipate his arrival,
they watch out the window for him
and are, oh, so excited when he arrives!

They run to greet him, to embrace him,
to tell him they've missed him,
and tell him all about their day...
Desiring, more than anything, his fellowship,
special time with him, his love and affection.
They look up to him, admire him,
respect and reverence him, desire to please him,
and they want to be like him when they grow up.

His Word, there before me...
"Be ye therefore followers of God,
as dear children."
~ Ephesians 5:1

"...as dear children."...
What a parrallel to examine my heart with...

Do I love, really love, my Heavenly Father?
Am I seeking Him? Excpecting Him?
Trusting Him to return?
Do I desire Him? Am comforted by Him?
See that I'm incomplete without Him?
Do I anticipate His arrival? Watching for Him?


Do I run to my Heavenly Father with excitement?
Am I eager to fellowship
and spend special time with Him?
Do I yearn for Him all the day long?
Do I adore, respect, reverence Him?
Do I, with all my heart, want to be like Him?

"Be ye therefore followers of God,
as dear children."
~ Ephesians 5:1

There was more He showed me...
I recalled and witnessed how,
when their daddy tells or reads a story,
they listen intently and whole heartedly
with wide eyes and devoted ears.

"... as dear children."...

How do I listen to my Heavenly Father?
Am I easily distracted from His Word
as He is trying to speak to me?
Or do I listen intently and whole heartedly
with wide eyes, wanting to see,
devoted ears, aching to hear,
and a heart of deep reverence,
willing to please and obey?


"Be ye therefore followers of God
as dear children."
~ Ephesians 5:1

There was more...
I recalled how the children
listen to, remember, and repeat
what their daddy says.
"My daddy said, 'this' and 'this'. "

Do I so boldly share what
my Heavenly Father says?

And, oh, how eager and excited they are
to talk about their daddy!
They use every opportunity
(and sometime make the opportunity)
to tell others all about their daddy!


"... as dear children."...

Am I so eager and excited
to talk about my Heavenly Father
and share Him with others?
Do I take advantage of every opportunity
or go out of my way to make one?


"Be ye therefore followers of God,
as dear children."
~ Ephesians 5:1



Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of children.
Thank you for using them to teach me
in such simplicity.
Thank you that I am Your child.
May I always have a teachable spirit.
May I never be unaffected and unchanged
by Your Word.
May I be a doer of Your Word
and not a hearer only.
May I follow You, Heavenly Father,
as dear children.