Growing up in the House of the Lord

This morning Tanner, Ty and I got to the house of prayer here in Colorado at about 5:45am. Usually Tanner stays home with Ty from 6-8am while I go to the prayer room. I come home at 8 and pick them up and we go back to the prayer room (which is also the missions organization where Tanner works) and Tanner goes to work while I stay there in the prayer room with Ty till noon. This morning Tanner had to work a few more hours so we all went together. Right now I am getting paid to help out with leadership in the prayer room and we need the income so I can't really be a full time stay at home mom. However, I am so thankful that I can have this kind of job and there is no other place that I love more than the house of prayer! Still, I have been thinking a lot about what it looks like for Ty to grow up in this atmosphere. In the book of 1 Samuel two different stories are told about those who grew up in the house of the Lord. Eli, the priest who ministered before the Lord, had two sons who were to grow up and take their father's role in the temple. However, they did not grow to love the place where the Lord dwells but rather became jaded to it and offered abominations before the Lord and led the people of Israel in great sin. Samuel also grew up in the house of the Lord. However, his story was very different. He learned how to listen to the voice of the Lord and grew in the fear of God and love for His ways. He became a great prophet for Israel and led many into the ways of righteousness.

I believe Ty has a great calling on her life. I desire that like Samuel she would grow up learning to love the voice of the Lord and be one that proclaims His ways to a wayward generation. However, I am sober to the reality I must contend for her little heart to not become jaded to the prayer movement. I am feeling the weight of responsibility that we have as parents to steward her heart while she is young and exemplify to her the joy of loving Jesus with all that we have.

Lord, give Tanner and I grace and strength to raise Ty in the admonition and fear of You! May she grow up with the cry that better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. May her heart be fascinated at a young age with Your endless beauty! May she have the freedom to find You for herself and realize her own identity as Your daughter. Thank you for entrusting us with such a priceless gift.