This Life.

 Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Here I am three years into this thing. This thing -- parenthood. And while, I would consider myself one who has diligently prayed over and prayed with my child. I feel certain there is more I could do. Not one to condemn myself but solely landing on conviction here.

I would say the events of the last year or so have really opened my eyes beyond what I'm dealing with on a daily basis. No longer just occupied with the refilling of snacks and potty training, there's something larger going on in our world that will effect my girls, our girls for years to come. I don't shy away from the sinful condition of man's heart. I see it in my own toddler day in and day out. I see it in my selfishness for time to myself and the way I can snap back at the people I love the most. And yet, sin doesn't just exist in our family, but it is the state of our depraved world. Yet, where sin entered. The Savior came. 

1 Peter 5:8 describes the enemy as a roaring lion seeking to devour what is in its path. Friends, believer, I won't go so far to say the enemy is done with us, but I will say he is moving on to our treasured gifts from the Lord. He's not stopping at us, but he wants to permeate and enter the lives of our children. When God gave Adam and Eve the commandment to be fruitful and multiply in Genesis 1, He was doing so that more image bearers would be present to display the greatness of God. Why wouldn't Satan attack our children?

Returning from a recent out of town visit to Tennessee, I walked into our home overwhelmed. I'm not sure about what, because the house was clean. Sure, there was unpacking to do and laundry to be washed, dried, and folded. However, the tightness in my chest revealed there was something more to my being overwhelmed. I took a moment to stop and pray. I took a moment to confess my panic to my husband. I realized in that moment the safety and importance of our home.

YES. SATAN IS A ROARING LION, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE JUST STAND BY. WE ATTACK, DEFEND, AND PROTECT. 

You see, I'd spent the week reading through Proverbs 3. Always one to remain in verses 5 and 6, I ventured into other verses. We can't be wise in our own eyes. We have to seek the wisdom that comes from God alone. When the world vies for our attention and establishing truth on so many levels, His Word is where we must turn. The gravity and importance of our home and helping provide our children with foundational, Christ-centered guidance is not lost on me. It's a task I'm ready to take on. My house slippers don't say "Mama Bear" for nothing. 

But what does this require?

You, mama. You, grandmama. You, aunt/friend/ neighbor. You, Sunday School teacher. You have a task. Whatever level you interact with children, you have been given a task to teach and train the next generation. We fully acknowledge it is the grace of God who will save our little ones, but it is our task to lead them, guide them, protect them, and defend them. We aren't just going to stand by and watch the attack.