Parenting by Design - May 2

Sacrifice

Gen 22:10-11:  "Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.  But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"

We marvel at Abraham's obedience when the cost was so high.   But many of us are willing to sacrifice our children as well—not on an altar—but to the expectations of this world.  This sacrifice requires no knife, but is executed in subtle day-to-day compromises.  Overcrowded schedules that squeeze out time for relationships.  Messages communicating significance in a child's "success".  Pressuring kids to perform because we see them as reflections of ourselves.  Investing our time and money chasing after power, beauty and fame.

We are bombarded with false messages defining our worth and the worth of our children by ever-changing worldly standards.  Like Abraham, God is calling us to bring this sacrifice to a halt.  But, we must look past the temporal and see with eternal eyes.  We must choose to worship the Creator instead of the creation.

Surrendering your kids to God and spend the time necessary to find God's plan for their lives.