Chapter-a-Day 1 Chronicles 17

"And now I'm telling you this: God himself will build you a house! When your life is complete and you're buried with your ancestors, then I'll raise up your child to succeed you, a child from your own body, and I'll firmly establish his rule. He will build a house to honor me, and I will guarantee his kingdom's rule forever." 1 Chronicles 17:10b-12 (MSG)

I sat in the high school gym with my daughter's Geography teacher. It was parent-teacher conferences and I was there to get a snapshot of how my daughter was doing in class. Her teacher looked at me and chuckled.

"You daughter has seen more of the world than I have. In some ways, she know more about Geography than I do!" he said.

I got his point. My eldest daughter is barely 20, and both of my daughters have been around the world to share the love of Christ with others. Thailand, India, Romania, Costa Rica, Panama, Morocco, and Mexico to be exact. When I was their age, I could not have fathomed having the breadth of experiences and opportunities that they have had to make a difference in other people's lives.

As I have supported their journies, prayed for them, and watched them grow, my mind has often wandered back to this chapter in 1 Chronicles. I watch my children give themselves to the work and I'm proud of them. In many ways, they have already seen more and experienced more in their 20 years than I have in all of my 40 (plus a few). God willing, my road will take me many places before my journey is through. Nevertheless, I accept that they will experience things and accomplish things of which I never dreamed.

David was a warrior and his road led through wilderness and battle. His road paved the way for his son, Solomon, who would enjoy a road that led through peace and knowledge. David's road made the way for Solomon's. My parents road paved the way for me. My road paves the way for my children. There is a subtle and holy order in that.

My job is to walk the path I'm given, and to prepare and support my children for the path God has for them.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and edwinylee

 

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