My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed;
my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. 

(Proverbs 23:15-16 NIV)

It is our responsibility as parents to train up our children in the ways of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6). We take them to church, Sunday school, Awana, youth groups, etc. in order that they might hear the word of God and respond in faith. Although we know we cannot make the decision to follow Jesus for them – we do everything in our control to persuade them.

It thrilled my heart, when all three of our children made a commitment to follow Jesus Christ. We invited our entire church to come witness their baptisms.

Throughout the book of Proverbs we’ve seen wisdom is not something we are given at our conversion, but something which is attained through persevering in faith. Recall with me that the fear of the Lord is just the beginning of wisdom.

As our adult children go through new seasons of life, they are forced to walk out their faith in various circumstances. Just as our trials have refined our dependence on the Lord, so too, will theirs. It’s in these defining moments, we gain wisdom and understanding.

I celebrated when our children first committed their lives to Christ, but my heart is glad when my sons make loving sacrifices benefiting others. I rejoice when my daughters encourage me with the truth of the Gospel.

Won’t you pray the prayer in Ephesians with me for all our children?

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. (Ephesians 1:16-19 NIV)