Fast Day 5
Mountain of Influence: Family
Day 2 – Repent
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.”
Have you ever been surprised to hear your child repeat something that you said? I didn’t realize I have a particular catch phrase, or even that my child was listening to it, until I heard my preschooler say it. There’s one thing I know for certain: becoming a parent has become the biggest “mirror” of my life.
The Lord commands us to love Him first, and to teach His Word to our children. This is not a suggestion; it is a foundational requirement of our faith. It is our job, as parents, who have been blessed with offspring from the Lord, to teach the Word of the Lord to our children.
If we truly and unequivocally love the Lord our God will ALL our heart, ALL our mind, and ALL our strength, what will others (whether children, friends or coworkers) see in us and later mirror in their own lives? Will they see kindness, gentleness, grace, compassion, forgiveness, peace, long suffering, holiness? Will they see us loving others as Jesus commanded us? Winning the mountain of family starts and ends with love.
Your Turn
Prayer:
Lord, I repent for not loving you with everything I have. Help me to put you first not only for my benefit, but for the benefit of my children and those around us. Help me to model the life you have called me to live, fully submitted to you. You are worthy of all honor, glory and praise!
Fast Thought:
Reflect on this: Ask the Lord to show you the parent you are called to be. Let the scriptures speak to you and write it down. Then ask, “Lord lead me in this and reveal where I fall short.”
Song: